Textron Aviation is resuming production of the normally aspirated Cessna 182 Skylane after a two-year hiatus and has hopes for certification of its diesel Skyhawk next year. But future plans of the diesel Skylane are less clear. 

The company suspended production of the normally aspirated version 182 in 2013, but Doug May, vice president of piston aircraft for Textron Aviation, said the market has strengthened for single-engine pistons. He added that the company restarted lines “to fill a void.” The return of the 182 comes as deliveries of the Cessna pistons strengthened in the first quarter and the airframer is optimistic about the future market for the piston lines. He added that combined Beechcraft and Cessna fleets will help bring stability moving forward. 

Announced during last year’s AirVenture, the diesel Skyhawk is on track for certification in 2016. The aircraft is fitted with the Continental CD-155 engine, which is expected to provide nearly a 60-percent boost in range and 25-percent improvement in fuel burn. The engine previously had been EASA-certified for retrofits on newer Skyhawks, providing Cessna jump start on the program. May said the company “sees good activity around that product.”

But Textron Aviation is remaining quiet about its plans for the 182. “We are still working through certification issues,” he said. He did not say whether the company is considering changes in the program, including a potential engine swap. "We’re always evaluating,” he said, but added the company was not ready to speak to specifics. He added, however, “Our vision for jet-A will continue to be a focus.”

While the company works on its new products, Textron Aviation continues to refine its existing line. It installed a new Venture interior in the 206 to increase functionality, May said.

Textron Aviation also is providing the option of new McCauley propellers for the Cessna Grand Caravan EX, Cessna TTx and Beechcraft Baron.

“McCauley’s innovation in the propeller segment has given us a great opportunity to make further enhancements to several of our proven platforms,” May said. “Being part of the Textron family of brands, McCauley has the distinct advantage of working side-by-side with Beechcraft and Cessna engineers.”

The company is equipping the Grand Caravan EX with a McCauley four-blade swept scimitar Blackmac aluminum propeller. The propeller will increase payload by 15 pounds, provide two inches of additional ground clearance, improve climb by 10 percent and extend time between overhaul. Cessna, which is displaying the new propeller this week at AirVenture, expects to obtain certification on the Caravan this quarter.

Cessna also will begin offering the McCauley Blackmac Carbon Series constant-speed composite propeller on the TTX, giving the option of a 35-pound improvement in useful load. It has been certified for TTx installation and is also approved for retrofit on the Columbia 400, Cessna 400 and Corvalis TT.

Meanwhile, plans call for equipping the Beechcraft Baron with the McCauley C512 aluminum propeller, which is 10 pounds lighter than the current propeller and will improve useful load by 20 pounds. Deliveries of McCauley-equipped Barons are anticipated this quarter.