Showing posts with label Cessna Grand Caravan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cessna Grand Caravan. Show all posts

19 February, 2024

Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian extends reach in Southeast Asia with delivery in Malaysia

Textron Aviation has confirmed the delivery of a new Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian turboprop to Malaysian property developer, Ikhasas Sdn Bhd, via its subsidiary company Oriental Sky Sdn Bhd. The aircraft, to be managed and operated by local charter operator Systematic Aviation Services (SAS), will be used for passenger transport between the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and a new waterfront resort on Perhentian islands, off the northern east coast of Malaysia. This will be the country’s first amphibious aeroplane operation in recent history after it gained the necessary approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to launch domestic operations in 2024.

Ikhasas group managing director, Ir. Tan Chee Kian, said, “Seaplanes will be the most convenient way to reach the Perhentian Islands. Currently, it takes a time-consuming 6-hour road journey followed by a one-hour ferry ride from the port in Kuala Besut. With our 11-seater aircraft, travellers will benefit from time savings as it will transport passengers from Kuala Lumpur to land directly in the waters near the beachside resort. At the same time, we preserve the islands’ pristine environment and natural forests which would otherwise be felled for airport construction.”

“We are honoured for Grand Caravan EX Amphibian to be selected. The versatility and excellent operating economics make it the perfect partner for Ikhasas to develop sustainable tourism. The comfortable cabin, large windows for sightseeing, and floats allowing it to take off and land anywhere are ideal for their missions,” said Tony Jones, vice president, International Sales (Asia-Pacific). “Malaysia is also an important market to Textron Aviation. Our products lead the installed base and make up over 40% of the country’s general aviation aircraft. Our customers in Malaysia use our products for a variety of operations including VIP transport, tourism, as well as other special missions such as air ambulances, and skydiving.”

Cessna Grand Caravan EX 

28 September, 2023

Surf Air Mobility confirms order for 100 aircraft


Surf Air Mobility pays a deposit for first 20 aircraft with deliveries beginning in the first half of 2024





Surf Air Mobility, a regional air mobility platform aiming to sustainably connect the world’s communities, confirmed its exclusive relationship with Textron Aviation Inc, upon the completion of its public market debut. Today the company announced that deliveries of the first 20 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft are expected to begin in the first half of 2024. This exclusive relationship supports Surf Air Mobility’s development of an electrified Cessna Grand Caravan EX, targeting FAA certification in 2026. Surf Air Mobility has agreed to purchase up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft, with a confirmed initial fleet order of 100 aircraft and an option for 50 more. The aircraft will be upgraded to Surf Air Mobility’s proprietary electric or hybrid-electric powertrain technology by Surf Air Mobility.

Through this exclusive agreement, Surf Air Mobility plans to make electrified aircraft broadly available to new and existing operators, and to bring the benefits of lower cost, lower emission air travel at scale to customers. Surf Air Mobility will also be the exclusive provider to Textron Aviation of certain battery electric and hybrid electric powertrain technology for the Cessna Grand Caravan.

“We know from our experience that people are looking for faster, affordable, and cleaner regional travel, and we are building the ecosystem to accelerate the industry’s adoption of electric flight. We believe that significantly reducing the emissions from this category of aircraft will be the biggest step we can take toward de-carbonization in this decade,” said Sudhin Shahani, co-founder of Surf Air Mobility.

14 January, 2023

Textron Aviation delivers 3,000th Cessna Caravan family aircraft....




Textron Aviation has delivered a Cessna Grand Caravan EX to Brazilian aviation company Azul Conecta, a subsidiary of Azul Airlines based at the airport of Jundiai in São Paulo. This aircraft represents the 3,000th Cessna Caravan family turboprop delivered worldwide, reinforcing the Caravan as the most popular utility turboprop in the world. Azul Conecta transports travellers from smaller cities and remote locations throughout Brazil.

Textron Aviation employees and representatives from Azul Conecta celebrated this significant milestone with a special delivery ceremony at Textron Aviation’s location in Independence, Kansas.

“The Cessna Caravan’s versatility and reliability have made it the most popular aircraft in the utility turboprop category, with now 3,000 delivered globally,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president of Sales and Flight Operations at Textron Aviation. “I’m thankful to customers like Azul Conecta who continuously rely on the Caravan family of aircraft to fulfil their missions, deliver solutions and improve lives around the world.”

Conceived as a rugged utility aircraft with low operating costs, the Caravan was designed for use in remote areas with extreme weather changes, mountainous terrain and rough landing conditions. The aircraft’s versatility became renowned in all corners of the world, and the Caravan continues to see wide use in global markets by a variety of customers, including government agencies, law enforcement and militaries, air ambulance operators, freight hauliers, corporations and humanitarian organizations.




08 April, 2022

Raisbeck gets FAA STC approval for “EPIC Caravan” drag reduction system


Raisbeck Engineering, a leading provider of performance enhancement systems for business, commercial and military aircraft, today announced it has received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its new drag reduction system, EPIC Caravan, for the Cessna Caravan 208B aircraft. This STC enables Caravan 208B fleet and owner-operators who are flying cargo pod-equipped aircraft to reduce drag and consequently increase cruise speeds and/or decrease fuel burn.

EPIC Caravan was designed to address the aerodynamic drag associated with Cessna Caravan 208Bs equipped with factory cargo pods. The 208B experiences a significant decrease in speed and an increase in fuel burn due to the cargo pod. Raisbeck’s new drag reduction system is comprised of a composite Forward Cargo Pod Fairing and metal Dual Aft Body Strakes and weighs only 38 lbs. The system offers operators the option to fly 5+ knots faster or go farther on the same fuel load. In addition to the drag reduction, the Dual Aft Body Strakes provide significantly improved lateral stability.

“The Cessna Caravan aircraft is renowned for its rugged utility and adaptability to a wide variety of operations. EPIC Caravan will not only ease pilot workload, but also offer operators a more cost-effective, environmentally friendly way of flying,” stated Hal Chrisman, President of Raisbeck Engineering. “The new system provides operators the option to utilize faster cruise speeds or to reduce fuel flows with lower ITT. The STC also marks an important milestone for the company as we expand our product offerings in the business and general aviation market.”

In addition, Raisbeck’s engineering team has been actively pursuing certification for Textron’s current production model, the Cessna Grand Caravan EX. The Grand Caravan EX STC program is on track with certification expected later this year. Moreover, to meet a growing demand in the Brazilian market, the company has begun efforts to obtain ANAC approval for the new EPIC Caravan modification. This will be followed by EASA and other foreign certifications to serve the worldwide marketplace.





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31 October, 2018

Fort Lauderdale's Watermakers Air changes its name............

The small private flight charter airline that operates scheduled services to the Bahamian Islands out of Fort Lauderdale's executive airport, Watermakers Air has changed its name.  

The company operates a small fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans will now be known as Makers Air. The name change follows on from something of a relaunch for the company as it adopts a new look that is aimed to reflect a personalised and prestige service. 

"With Watermakers Air we set out to create an island airline that provided top-level service to more remote Bahamian destinations and eliminated the challenges of commercial flying. Now, with Makers Air, we've taken our brand promise to the next level by creating a tailored passenger experience that is focused on customer service and connecting our clients with the Out Islands of The Bahamas," stated David Hocher, Makers Air's Owner and CEO.
Based at Fort Lauderdale Executive airport, the charter operator with scheduled services to the Bahamian Islands is a family-owned business that has been going since 1999. It offers multiple daily flights at competitive prices, connecting passengers to many of the most pristine and hard to reach destinations in the Bahamas.

(Images from Makers Air)

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