Cessna 408 SkyCourier

Cessna · United States · first flew 2020 · transport aircraft

The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is a high-wing twin-turboprop utility transport designed for freight and passenger feeder operations, with FedEx as its launch customer. It offers a large square cargo hold and simple systems for cost-effective operations.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × turboprop, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	High-wing twin turboprop with squared fuselage cross-section for freight
T — Tail	T-tail

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

High-wing twin turboprop with squared fuselage cross-section for freight
T-tail and slab-sided cargo fuselage
Designed primarily for FedEx feeder freight role

The high wing, T-tail, slab-sided rectangular fuselage, and twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops distinguish it; the squared cross-section differs notably from the round-fuselage Cessna Caravan.

Specifications

The Cessna 408 SkyCourier has a length of 15.6 m (51 ft).
It has a wingspan of 21.2 m (70 ft).
Its maximum speed is 463 km/h (288 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Announced at EAA AirVenture 2017 and first flown in 2020, the SkyCourier received FAA certification in 2022. FedEx ordered 50 aircraft as the anchor customer, and the type is aimed at replacing ageing Cessna Caravan and similar freighters on short-haul routes.

Variants

A freighter version with a large cargo door and a 19-passenger commuter variant are both offered; the basic airframe is common between them.

Where you'll see it

FedEx began taking deliveries in 2022 and operates the SkyCourier on US feeder freight routes; other operators have ordered the passenger variant for regional services.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.