Textron Aviation announced that it successfully completed the first flight of the second Beechcraft Denali aircraft, which will be added to the model’s certification program. The first aircraft had completed its maiden flight in November 2021. Currently, the process has accumulated more than 250 hours of operation.
As reported by the company, the flight lasted two hours and one minute. It reached a maximum altitude of 15.500 feet and a maximum speed of 240 knots (444 kilometers per hour).
This flight is another vitally important step for the Beechcraft Denali program as the aircraft will be used primarily for testing aircraft systems like avionics, cabin environmental control and ice protection», said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering & Programs. The certification program is expected to eventually include a third aircraft for flight testing.
According to Textron Aviation, the new single-engine turboprop can reach a cruise speed of up to 285 knots (527 kilometers per hour) and has a range of up to 1.600 nautical miles (2.900 kilometers), subject to flight conditions. The aircraft will be certified to operate with only one pilot.
Beechcraft Denali is the first aircraft to be powered by General Electric’s Catalyst engine. The powerplant is scheduled to be certified in 2023. In addition, the aircraft uses McCauley’s new 105-inch diameter, five-blade, constant-speed propeller.
The cockpit features the intuitive Garmin G3000 avionics suite with high-resolution and touchscreen controllers. It is also equipped with an integrated autothrottle, which interfaces with the AFCS and FMS systems.
Textron Aviation also highlights the improvements that the Denali will offer to passenger experience. The cabin has a standard six-seat configuration, but customers will be able to opt for a high-density configuration of up to nine seats. The floor design and door size will allow the interior space to be adapted to cargo versions.
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