Textron Aviation has recently announced that the Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop has been granted type certification by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). This expands the aircraft’s capacity to support operational activities in remote areas of southeast Asia. The first SkyCourier in the region, a 19-seat passenger variant, is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2025 to Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (LEASCOR), a wholly owned subsidiary of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative in the Philippines.
The SkyCourier is designed to be operated by a single pilot and has a generous payload capacity. It is an ideal solution for air freight, passenger transport, and special missions. The aircraft is highly adaptable and can easily adjust configurations to effectively complete virtually any mission, supporting a significant return on investment. Additionally, it has capabilities to support a wide range of operational activities in remote areas.
ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, the largest cooperative in the Philippines, serves members of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other uniformed personnel. Members include active service personnel, retirees, reservists, civilian employees of the AFP and other uniformed personnel and dependents. LEASCOR was established in 2016 as the air chartering arm of the Cooperative.
“We are excited to connect underserved communities in the Philippines with the new 19-seat SkyCourier turboprop, which will complement our present fleet,” said Major General Gilbert S. Llanto, ACDI MPC Chairman. “It will surely boost our business lines in tourism, agriculture and food, aviation, mobility and the construction industry across the archipelago.”
The Cessna SkyCourier is a twin-engine, high-wing turboprop aircraft designed for air freight, commuter, and special mission operations. It is available in both Freighter and Passenger variants, as well as a Combi configuration or gravel kit for maximum flexibility. The 19-passenger variant features crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refuelling to enable faster turnarounds. The freighter variant can handle up to three LD3 shipping containers and has an impressive 6,000 pounds of payload capability.
The aircraft is equipped with two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779. The propeller is a heavy-duty and reliable 110-inch aluminium four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch. It is designed to enhance the aircraft's performance while carrying heavy loads. The SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of over 200 knots and a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.
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