Textron Aviation Announces That Beechcraft Denali Enters Flight Test Phase with Landmark First Flight
November 23, 2021 at 02:01 pm EST
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Textron Aviation announced its new single-engine turboprop, the Beechcraft Denali, took to the skies for the first time. The milestone first flight is a major step for the clean-sheet design aircraft and begins the important flight test program that substantiates the segment-leading performance expected of the Denali. The Beechcraft Denali is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company. Piloted by senior test pilot Peter Gracey and chief test pilot Dustin Smisor, the Beechcraft Denali prototype aircraft, powered by GE Aviation?s new Catalyst engine, took off at approximately 8:20 a.m. from the company?s west campus at Eisenhower International Airport. During the 2-hour and 50-minute flight, the team tested the aircraft?s performance, stability and control, as well as its propulsion, environmental, flight controls and avionics systems. The aircraft reached an altitude of 15,600 feet and attained speeds of 180 knots. The Denali prototype aircraft, along with two additional flight test articles and three full airframe ground test articles, will continue to expand on operational goals, focusing on testing aircraft systems, engine, avionics and overall performance. The company is targeting certification for the Denali in 2023.
Textron Inc. is a diversified industrial group organized around 5 families of products and services:
- aircraft (34.1% of net sales): business aircraft, turboprop planes, and single-engine piston aircraft;
- military and commercial helicopters (28.4%; Bell). The group also offers logistical support services, technical support services, training, maintenance, and repair services;
- industrial equipment (25.7%): fuel systems, hydraulic power tools, measuring equipment, fiber-optic connectors, golf carts, lawn maintenance equipment, etc.;
- defense and aerospace systems (11.3%): precision weaponry, smart battlefield systems, airborne and underground surveillance systems, aircraft control components, unmanned aircraft systems, shielded vehicles, piston engines, etc.;
- financing services (0.5%).
Net sales break down geographically as follows: the United States (68.2%), Europe (11.5%), Asia and Australia (9.5%) and other (10.8%).
TEXTRON INC. 
