Reims-Cessna F406

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Reims-Cessna 406 Caravan II

The Reims-Cessna 406 Caravan II is a twin turboprop aircraft manufactured and designed by Reims Aviation in France in cooperation with Cessna. It is essentially a Cessna 404 with two Pratt & Whitney PT-6 turboprop engines and is therefore similar to the pressurized Cessna 441. The aircraft first flew in 1983 and is still produced by Reims Aviation, which is now a private French aircraft manufacturer after buying back the shares held by Cessna in 1989.

The 406 is aimed at passenger and small cargo transport, and civilian and military surveillance. For extra cargo capacity a cargo pod can be fitted to the belly of the aircraft. The Surpolmar is a new maritime surveillance version of the aircraft with extra equipment such as a 360 degree radar.

Though the two engines make it more expensive to operate than similar aircraft such as the single-engined Cessna 208 Caravan, having two engines does make the aircraft more reliable, which is especially important when flying over rugged terrain or over water.

Specifications

Reims Aviation F 406 Surmar at Paris Air Show 2007

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
• Capacity: 12 Passengers
• Length: 11.89 m
• Wing span: 15.08 m
• Height: 4.01 m
• Empty weight: 2283 kg

Performance

• Range: 2200 km full fuel, 790 km full passengers
• Cruise speed: 400 km/h (246 knots calibrated airspeed at 15000 feet altitude)
• Top speed: 455 km/h
• Service ceiling: 9.145 m (30.000 feet)

External links

• Reims Aviation (official website)
• Airliners.net - photos of the Reims F406