Paraguayan Air Force Becomes First South American Military Operator of Cessna SkyCourier
Why It MattersA first South American military SkyCourier operator extends the turboprop utility type beyond commercial and cargo users into defense and humanitarian roles, in a region where Cessna Caravans are already established.
Textron Aviation Inc. announced that the Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya) has become the first South American military operator of the Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine, high-wing turboprop. The aircraft was funded by Itaipu Binacional, a binational entity operated by the governments of Brazil and Paraguay, and joins the force's existing fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.
Textron Aviation said the SkyCourier's generous payload capacity and single-pilot operation will enhance the Air Force's capability for medical evacuations, patient transport and rapid humanitarian aid during disaster relief, helping it deliver relief services to communities across the country. Bob Gibbs, vice president, Defense & Special Mission Sales, said the rugged design and cost-effective maintenance suit high-utilization missions such as medical and casualty evacuation, disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
The SkyCourier comes as a freighter sized for up to three LD3 shipping containers with a 6,000-pound payload, or as a 19-passenger variant, and both offer single-point pressure refueling. It is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines driving McCauley C779 110-inch four-blade propellers, uses Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 KTAS and a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.
