Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II explained

The Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II is a turboprop twin engine utility aircraft manufactured and designed by Reims Aviation in cooperation with Cessna.

Design and development

The F406 Caravan II is a twin turboprop engined, fourteen-seat low-wing monoplane of conventional aluminium (airframe) and steel (engine internal parts, exhaust, landing gear) construction. It is a development of the Cessna 404 Titan with two Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engines. The aircraft first flew on 22 September 1983[1] and was produced by Reims Aviation until the company's 2013 demise.[2] The F406 is aimed at passenger and small cargo transport as well as civilian and military surveillance. For extra cargo capacity, a cargo pod can be fitted to the belly of the aircraft.

Though the F406 is more expensive to operate than single-engine aircraft of the same passenger capacity such as the Cessna 208 Caravan, having two engines makes it comply with European regulations regarding commercial operations, which only allow multi-engine aircraft for commercial instrument flight.

In March 2014, Reims Aviation was acquired by Chinese-owned Continental Motors Inc and renamed ASI Aviation. Two remaining incomplete airframes were finished in France before a shift to Mobile, Alabama with new avionics, electrical, and hydraulic systems; a new autopilot; and an engine choice of current P&WC PT6A-135 or pistons : Continental GTSIO-520 and/or Continental CD-310 diesel.[3] The Type Certificate transferred but only had approval to produce spare parts and not the whole aircraft.

Operators

Germany
Namibia

References and notes

External links

Notes and References

  1. Taylor 1988, p. 79.
  2. http://www.geciaviation.com/en/index.php "GECI Aviation"
  3. News: Props And Turboprops About To Enter The Marketplace . May 23, 2016 . Paul Jackson . Aviation Week Network.
  4. Web site: Survey.
  5. http://www.cobham.com/media/939837/492_-_cobham_receives_aud__7_million_additional_contract_extension_from_australian_customs_and_border_protection_service.pdf Cobham Receives AUD$ 7 million Additional Contract Extension from Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
  6. Web site: air saint pierre fleet . airsaintpierre.com . 16 January 2020.
  7. Web site: World Air Forces listings (French Army). flightglobal.com . November 1999. 16 January 2020.
  8. Web site: The Cessna F406 research aircraft, D-ILAB. tu-braunschweig.de.
  9. "Airscene: Military Affairs: First Hellenic Coast Guard F406 enters service". Air International, Vol. 60, No. 5, May 2001. p. 262.
  10. Web site: WESTAIR – HOME. westair.com.na.
  11. Web site: World Air Forces listings (ROK Navy). flightglobal.com . November 1999. 16 January 2020.
  12. Web site: About .