Textron Aviation has “been listening to the market” and sees an opportunity to introduce a new single-engine turboprop, the company confirmed in an email to AVweb on Monday. “This is an entirely new, clean-sheet design aircraft — not a derivative or variant of any existing product,” the company said. The company is not yet releasing details about the project, but said their intent is to “outperform the competition” in parameters including cabin size, acquisition cost and performance capability. “By leveraging the newest technologies, we expect this aircraft to have a range of more than 1,500 nautical miles and speeds in excess of 280 knots, while offering best-in-class operating costs,” according to the company’s statement. The design will be on display next year at EAA AirVenture.
In its recent second-quarter shipments report, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association said 191 single-engine turboprops had been delivered in the first six months of 2015, compared to 217 delivered in the same period last year. Textron already produces several turboprop aircraft, including the single-engine Cessna Caravan line and the Beechcraft King Air twins.
