Blog Article

• William Fierman
• Posted Jun 28, 2016

This new aeroplane is further proof of a growing trend in aviation

Continuing an ever-expanding trend, aircraft consumers are proving that one engine is actually better than two.

And to capitalise on this change, Textron Aviation, parent company to famous aircraft manufacturers Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker, revealed a widely-anticipated new turboprop aircraft, to begin testing in 2018.

The Single Engine Turboprop aircraft, or SETP, will enter a very competitive but fast-growing market segment that includes the Swiss-made Pilatus PC-12 and French manufacturer Daher’s TBM line.

Cruising speed of the new SETP is estimated to reach 285 knots

Cruising speed of the new SETP is estimated to reach 285 knots, and the aircraft can be configured to carry up to eight passengers. The cabin features a flat floor as well as a wide rear cargo and passenger door. It pressurizes to a very passenger-friendly cabin altitude of just 6,130 feet. The aircraft also has a service ceiling of 31,000 feet.

While the Textron’s Beechcraft brand already includes the well-known Kingair twin turboprop line, consumer demand is increasingly moving customers toward single engine aircraft thanks to the reliability, efficiency, and speed of modern turbine engines.