Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

Textron Aviation is in the final stages of completing the Cessna Denali prototype, along with two more flight and three ground test articles, as the development team prepares for first flight later this year, the company announced Monday. The Wichita, Kansas-based aircraft manufacturer will use the prototype and first two production-conforming aircraft in the flight-test program, while the ground test articles will be used for airframe static and fatigue tests, along with cabin interior development and testing.

 


“The result of the work we are doing now in design, production, and testing is going to provide a mature configuration that will help us move through certification and flight testing, ultimately bringing a proven aircraft to the market,” said Chris Hearne, senior v-p of engineering.

 


Along with the development of the flight-test vehicles and static test articles, Textron Aviation (Booth V19, SD405) recently completed component integration for the iron bird, a systems test rig that is laid out in the configuration and size of the Denali. The iron bird incorporates the design of the avionics, electrical, and engine control systems, and will play a key role in testing the aircraft engine’s Fadec system.

 


Meanwhile, engine provider GE Aviation recently reached full power and maximum RPM on the 1,300-shp Catalyst engine and McCauley composite propeller. GE Aviation has completed more than 1,000 hours of testing on three test Catalyst articles in all from its facility in Prague, Czech Republic. During testing, Textron Aviation said the engine and propeller demonstrated the full range of pitch using the Fadec. Initial altitude chamber testing also was recently was conducted.

 


“This new turboprop engine design will give the Denali a number of key advantages over other aircraft in this class, and we are pleased to say that test engine performance is meeting or exceeding performance expectations,” Hearne said. “New technology allows for a much longer time between overhaul, quieter operation and, because of the first-ever digital engine and propeller control, it will reduce pilot workload and have greater fuel efficiency than similar aircraft in its class.”

 


Along with the Catalyst engine, the Denali will be equipped with Garmin 3000 touchscreen avionics, including three 14-inch diagonal, wide-screen LCD displays, synthetic vision, and other technologies such as ADS-B In/Out and weather avoidance radar.

 


The Denali is expected to have a range of 1,600 nm, a maximum cruise speed of 285 knots, and a full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds. Designed to convert between passenger and cargo configurations, the Denali is intended to offer a large, flat-floor option in the single-turboprop class.

 


It will also sport a 53-by-59-inch rear cargo door, but have executive aircraft features such as a digital pressurization system that maintains a 6,130-foot cabin to 31,000 feet and an optional externally serviceable belted lavatory with pocket door. Textron further is incorporating large passenger windows, interior LED lighting, and options for a refreshment cabinet and an in-flight-accessible baggage compartment.

 


In passenger configuration, the aircraft can be designed with executive-style seating that includes six individual reclining seats, club-configuration tables, and a refreshment unit. It also can be fitted in a commuter seating layout with nine forward-facing seats.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Textron Aviation Nears Completion of Denali Prototype

Also in development are two more flight and three ground test articles, as the company prepares for first flight later this year,

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Inventory fell by nearly a third year over year as resale transactions hit Q2 record

Asking Prices Disappear from ULR Bizjets, Says Jet Match

Trump calls for a ban on Bombardier products

Amid Trade War, Trump Takes Aim at Bombardier Once More

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Aircraft