Aircraft

Cessna's Corvalis TTX, the world's fastest fixed-gear aircraft, enters production

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Cessna has announced production of its Corvalis TTX, claimed to be the world's fastest - and furthest-flying - fixed-gear aircraft
Cessna has announced production of its Corvalis TTX, claimed to be the world's fastest - and furthest-flying - fixed-gear aircraft
Cessna Corvalis TTX: also flies in the dark
The aircraft has a usable fuel capacity of 102 US gallons (386 liters) allowing a range of 1,250 nautical miles (2,315 km) at economy-cruise speeds
We gather the most notable feature of the TTX is an optional de-icing system known as FIKI - Flight Into Known Icing, which provides a claimed 150 minutes of icing protection with minimal effect upon the TTX's performance
The TTX includes the Cessna Intrinzic avionics suite, powered by the Garmin G2000 system and incorporating Garmin's GTC touch controls via a 14.1-inch high-def display
The TTX includes the Cessna Intrinzic avionics suite, powered by the Garmin G2000 system and incorporating Garmin's GTC touch controls via a 14.1-inch high-def display
The four-seater aircraft is powered by a turbocharged, fuel-injected, six-cylinder Continental Motor TCM TSIO-550-C engine which maxes out at 310 hp, granting a maximum speed of 235 knots (435 km/h)
The four-seater aircraft is powered by a turbocharged, fuel-injected, six-cylinder Continental Motor TCM TSIO-550-C engine which maxes out at 310 hp, granting a maximum speed of 235 knots (435 km/h)
The TTX's luggage compartment
The TTX includes the Cessna Intrinzic avionics suite, powered by the Garmin G2000 system and incorporating Garmin's GTC touch controls via a 14.1-inch high-def display
Cessna has announced production of its Corvalis TTX, claimed to be the world's fastest - and furthest-flying - fixed-gear aircraft
Cessna has announced production of its Corvalis TTX, claimed to be the world's fastest - and furthest-flying - fixed-gear aircraft
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Cessna seized upon the frankly unmissable opportunity to make a major announcement at this year's Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida. There it announced that its luxury single-pilot aircraft, the Cessna Corvalis TTX, has entered production. The new aircraft, proclaimed by Cessna to be the "world's fastest fixed-gear aircraft," will replace the old Corvalis TT.

The four-seater aircraft is powered by a turbocharged, fuel-injected, six-cylinder Continental Motor TCM TSIO-550-C engine which maxes out at 310 hp, granting a maximum speed of 235 knots (435 km/h). The aircraft has a usable fuel capacity of 102 US gallons (386 liters) allowing a range of 1,250 nautical miles (2,315 km) at economy-cruise speeds. With a certified ceiling of 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) - Cessna claims the TTX is capable of flying over pesky low-altitude weather systems.

We gather the most notable feature of the TTX is an optional de-icing system known as FIKI - Flight Into Known Icing, which provides a claimed 150 minutes of icing protection with minimal effect upon the TTX's performance. Cessna positions the feature as a potential money-saver, preventing the need to reschedule plans in the event of... known icing, presumably.

Perhaps more fundamental is the upgrade from the TT's avionics suite. The TTX includes the Cessna Intrinzic avionics suite, powered by the Garmin G2000 system and incorporating Garmin's GTC touch controls via a 14.1-inch high-def display. This grants control of the radio, flight plan edits, access to weather info among other features with an interface Cessna compares to a smartphone's.

"The TTX program has been moving steadily along through various certifications and testing phases," said Cessna's TTX business leader, Terry Shriner. "The production lines have begun the bonding processes on the all-composite TTX fuselage, as well as commencing work on the wing skins and internal components."

Varying paint designs and cabin interiors will be among the options. Deliveries are expected to commence by the end of the year. Pricing is not yet clear, though for reference the TT (sales of which have stalled of late) could be had for US$644,500 back in 2010.

Source: Cessna

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13 comments
Roger Wielgus
650.000 $ for a single piston engine and fixed gear. They are becoming crazy. The future is not that. CESSNA takes the same way as KODAK, for sure. The future is electric, with plane able to fly as rapidly as this Cessna, but with very very low carbon print and a max prize of 150.000 $. That's the future. 150.000$ - 150 knots - FL 150 - and no burned FUEL!!! General aviation needs a rebirth. Single Piston Engine are Not Part of that Rebirth.
mrhuckfin
I used to live in Corvallis! Seems like a nice set up, I saw one of the older TT's last year but this seems like a very good upgrade and the speed is fantastic! The price is a bit over the top, will be curios to see if they can sell any?
VoiceofReason
Roger.....no.
It might be close to $15)k, but the batteries are going to need replacing more than the motor will. How expensive is the battery pack?
I know the one of the supecars is $120,000 but you need to replace the battery pack every three years at $40,000.
Adding to that, you must not have read closely as this airplane will do well over 200knots. It's pricey, but so are Corvettes and Porsches.
Fretting Freddy the Ferret pressing the Fret
Too bad it's only a single-seater.
Tell me, Roger Wielgus. How is the electricity for your batteries generated? That's right, by burning fossil fuels. The carbon footprint is going to be lower since power plants are more efficient, but it's definitely not "very little". Combine that with the sheer weight of such a battery pack and the in sustainability of building one (it's more about replacing every existing motor with current technology) in the first place, and it turns out it isn't that good of an idea actually.
Facebook User
@Roger
What? It's a six cylinder engine. It's extremely rare to find single piston engines outside of walk-behind lawn mowers or other lawn care equipment. Scooters, perhaps. Also you can get much more range per unit of weight using aviation fuel than you can with any current battery system.
Dennis Roberts
@Roger Wielgus; In the future I hope all your dreams come true. Do you think that Cessna is is capable of building your electric dream airplane?
Paul Smith
Fretting, where did oyu read that it is a single seater? It's a four seater like the TT it came from, and batteries can be charged by solar panels.
Antony Stewart
the price sounds like nonsense, you can buy 10 porsches, a boeing with jacuzzi and gold platings, 4 migs, and some pretty good yachts for that price. what makes it so special? the company is not selling many?
Roger Wielgus
Waouh. It would to complicated to answer every question.
1. If electricity is today generated by fossil fuels, it is not the goal of true environmental concerned people as I am. We cannot continue that way. I am an enthusiast of aviation since I was 5 years old. I passed my PPL IR license during the eighties. Now I am 60, and I stopped flying, because I consider it as a egocentric activity which is not necessary to our planet. In the same time, I dream of the rebirth of general aviation, but on a other way, and that's why I believe that Cessna executives are as stupid as were the Kodak ones.
slarmas
Is this 235KIAS (Knots Indicated Airspeed) or ground speed. If it is KIAS at which pressure and altitude?