Cessna 421 Golden Eagle

Cessna · United States · first flew 1965 · light aircraft

The Cessna 421 Golden Eagle is a pressurised twin-piston business aircraft that represents the top of the Cessna piston twin range. It uses geared and turbocharged Continental GTSIO-520 engines to achieve high cruise speeds with a comfortable pressurised cabin.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsLow-mounted, tapered
E — Engines2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage11.09 m fuselage
T — TailConventional

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

Spot it by:

Similar to the Cessna 414 Chancellor but larger; identified by the six-cylinder geared engine cowlings, retractable gear, pressurised fuselage with oval windows, and the characteristic Cessna low-wing planform.

Specifications

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

History

Introduced in 1967, the 421 was developed from the earlier Cessna 411 and refined through the 421B and 421C variants. The 421C introduced a wet wing for increased fuel capacity and improved range.

Variants

Produced as the 421, 421A, 421B, and 421C; the 421C featured the redesigned wet wing and remained in production until 1985.

Where you'll see it

Popular with private owners, charter operators, and corporate flight departments in North America and worldwide; frequently seen at general aviation airports across the US.

Related aircraft

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