Gallery: Textron Positions Denali With Beechcraft As Program Progresses

Textron Aviation’s renamed Beechcraft Denali, formerly called the Cessna Denali, has achieved several milestones over the past six months progressing toward first flight later this year and certification in 2023, the company says. In July, GE Aviation’s Catalyst engine was installed on the first prototype airframe and the aircraft was powered on for the first time. Engine runs are expected in August. The Catalyst 1,300 shp engine has completed more than 2,300 hr. of testing and preparing for a first flight on its King Air flying test bed. Credit: Textron Aviation

Textron Aviation announced the Denali, first called the “single engine turboprop” in 2015, renaming it the Cessna Denali n 2016. Delays with the Catalyst engine pushed back the timeline for certification. “We continue to receive interest around the world from turboprop and piston owners of competing aircraft, who are looking to move into an aircraft with greater performance and enhanced passenger experience,” says Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president of global sales and flight operations. Credit: Textron Aviation

The Beechcraft Denali features Garmin G3000 avionics with high-resolution and touchscreen controllers, autothrottle, a 10-in. weather radar, Advanced Terrain Awareness Warning Systems and dual transponders with ADS-B capabilities. Credit: Texton Aviation

The Denali, with a 2023 price tag of $5.999 million, features a flat floor cabin, large cabin windows, interior LED lighting, forward refreshment cabinet and in-flight accessible baggage compartment. The aircraft, designed to cruise at 285 kt. with a full payload of 1,100 lb., converts between passenger and cargo configurations. A digital pressurization system maintains a 6,000 ft. cabin altitude at a service ceiling of 30,000 ft. Credit: Textron Aviation