Cessna's latest Grand Caravan version, the Caravan EX, has earned FAA type certification and has beaten the company's initial performance targets.
Powered by the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, the EX has shown a 38% improvement in the rate of climb over the Grand Caravan. The original projection was for a 20% improvement.
"When we started with this design, we knew we could push the performance envelope on the Grand Caravan EX and get it into service for our customers in 'high and hot' missions," said Lannie O'Bannion, Cessna business leader for the Caravan range.
"But the performance we've realized through the certification process with the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine has truly exceeded our already aggressive performance targets."
Deliveries of the new model have already started, and the Caravan EX is one of six new Cessna models expected to be introduced in 2013.