Textron Aviation has announced that they will be relocating Cessna Caravan production from their Witchita, Kansas facility to one in Independence, Kansas.
In an emailed statement, Lindsay Adrian, a Communication Manager for Textron, said, “We remain focused on new product development and, as such, must ensure our footprint and facilities meet the current and future needs of the business. This move will utilize capacity at our Independence, Kansas facility while making our Wichita workforce available for new products such as the Citation Longitude and Cessna Denali. No employee jobs are expected to be impacted.”
Additional Details on the Move for Cessna Caravan Production
Textron is still working through the details, and according to a company spokesperson, they are still “very early in the transition planning.” Some sources are saying that the move would most likely occur before 2018 at the latest when the company expects to begin test flights for the Cessna Denali. But with the recent ground engine tests laying the way for Cessna Longitude flight testing, expected in the upcoming weeks, it may happen much sooner.
Cessna’s Independence plant currently assembles a pair of members from the Citation family, the Citation M2 and Citation Mustang. In addition, it also assembles the Cessna TTx, Cessna Turbo Stationair 206 HD, Cessna Skylane 182 and Cessna Skyhawk 172.
The Caravan, which was certified in 1984 and first delivered in 1985, has been a solid platform for Cessna, with the 2,500th Caravan being delivered last year. And despite the reported dip in aircraft sales for the first two quarters this year, new Caravan sales remain strong, outpacing the Skyhawk, Skylane, and Stationair. Between the Caravan and Grand Caravan models, Textron shipped 32 aircraft, representing 18% of their total deliveries so far this year.
What Are the Specs on the Cessna Caravan and Cessna Grand Caravan?
DIMENSIONS
| Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan | |
| Length | 37 ft 7 in (11.46 m) | 41 ft 7 in (12.67 m) |
| Height | 14 ft 11 in (4.53 m) | 15 ft 1 in (4.60 m) |
| Wingspan | 52 ft 1 in (15.87 m) | 52 ft 1 in (15.87 m) |
CABIN INTERIOR
| Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan | |
| Height | 54 in (1.37 m) | 54 in (1.37 m) |
| Width | 64 in (1.63 m) | 64 in (1.63 m) |
| Length | 12 ft 9 in (3.88 m) | 16 ft 9 in (5.10 m) |
| Maximum Occupants | 10 – 14 | 10-14 |
BAGGAGE CAPACITY
| Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan | |
| Weight | 325 lb (147.4 kg) | 320 lb (145.1 kg) |
| Volume | 32 cu ft (0.89 cu m) | 32 cu ft (0.89 cu m) |
WEIGHTS
| Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan | |
| Basic Empty Weight | 4,730 lb (2,145 kg) | 5,150 lb (2,336 kg) |
| Useful Load | 3,305 lb (1,499 kg) | 3,692 lb (1,675 kg) |
FUEL CAPACITY
| Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan | |
| Usable Fuel Weight | 2,224 lb (1,009 kg) | 2,246 lb (1,019 kg) |
| Usable Fuel Volume | 332 gal (1,257 l) | 335 gal (1,269 l) |
PERFORMANCE
| Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan | |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 186 ktas (344 km/h) | 195 ktas (361 km/h) |
| Maximum Range | 1,070 nm (1,982 km) | 964 nm (1,785 km) |
| Takeoff Distance | 2,055 ft (626 m) | 2,160 ft (658 m) |
| Ground Roll | 1,160 ft (354 m) | 1,399 ft (426 m) |
| Landing Distance | 1,625 ft (495 m) | 1,871 ft (570 m) |
| Ground Roll | 715 ft (218 m) | 1,039 ft (317 m) |
| Maximum Operating Altitude | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Maximum Climb Rate | 1,234 fpm (376 mpm) | 1,330 fpm (405 mpm) |
| Maximum Limit Speed | 175 kias (324 km/h) | 175 kias (324 km/h) |
| Stall Speed | 61 kcas (113 km/h) | 61 kcas (113 km/h) |
POWERPLANT
| Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan | |
| Engine Manufacturer | Pratt & Whitney | Pratt & Whitney |
| Model | PT6A-114A | PT6A-140 |
| Power Rating | 675 shp | 867 shp |
| Prop Manufacturer | McCauley | Hartzell |
| Description | 3 blade metal, constant speed, full feathering | 3 blade metal, constant speed, full feathering |
For More information on the Cessna Caravan and Grand Caravan, you can visit Cessna’s website.
Featured Image: Courtesy of Textron Aviation
