Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced that the Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya) has become the first South American military operator of the Cessna SkyCourier turboprop. Funded by Itaipu Binacional, a binational entity operated by the governments of Brazil and Paraguay, the aircraft joins the force’s existing fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.
Bob Gibbs, vice president, Defence & Special Mission Sales, said, “The Cessna SkyCourier delivers unmatched reliability and mission flexibility, enabling the Paraguayan Air Force to reach remote regions with confidence. Its rugged design and cost-effective maintenance make it ideal for high-utilisation missions, from medical and casualty evacuation, disaster relief to humanitarian aid. As defence forces worldwide seek versatile platforms, the SkyCourier stands out for its ability to adapt quickly for cargo, passenger and other special missions, including medical transport.”
The Cessna SkyCourier purchase will help the Paraguayan Air Force deliver critical relief services to communities across the country. The high-wing, twin-engine turboprop is designed for reliability and cost-effective maintenance, making it suitable for multi-mission operations in diverse and austere conditions. With its payload capacity and ability to be flown by a single pilot, the SkyCourier will enhance the Air Force’s capability to perform medical evacuations, transport patients and provide rapid humanitarian aid during disaster relief efforts.
About the Cessna SkyCourier
The Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators.
The freighter variant is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with a 6,000-pound payload capability. The 19-passenger variant includes crew and passenger doors for boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both variants offer single-point pressure refuelling to enable faster turnarounds.
The SkyCourier is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a heavy-duty 110-inch aluminium four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch, designed to enhance the performance of the aircraft while hauling loads. The SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 KTAS and a 900 nautical-mile maximum range.
Special Mission Applications
When government, military and commercial customers require airborne solutions for critical missions, Textron Aviation offers aircraft under the Beechcraft and Cessna brands. Textron Aviation offers a range of special mission aircraft with customisable configurations using established technology and engineering. The Textron Aviation family of aircraft includes single- and multi-engine piston aircraft, turboprops and Citation jets. These aircraft support missions such as air ambulance, amphibious operations, flight inspection, aerial surveillance, training and utility transport, supported by a global service network.
