Cessna’s high-wing monoplanes are probably the most iconic aircraft in the world. They fly in almost every country and have trained tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of pilots. Beyond flight training, they are the most popular general aviation line of aircraft ever built.
Also, they are a rugged breed of aircraft. Any airport in the backcountry of Idaho, Montana, and Alaska will reveal dozens of these aircraft. YouTube reveals dozens of videos of seemingly common Cessnas defying gravity through superior airmanship. In the early 1980s, Cessna took this tough, no-nonsense approach and built a new aircraft. Building off of the success of their larger high-wings, namely the C-206 and C-207 which are both widely used for light cargo in and out of the most austere regions of the world, Cessna built something bigger.
In November of 1981, the Cessna 208 Caravan project commenced, and the first flight was on December 9th, 1982. The C-208 was certified by the FAA in 1984, and a cargo-specific model was built for FedEx around that time. Over 3,000 Caravans and Cargomasters have been delivered worldwide and have flown well over twenty million flight hours. While it may seem desperately low-tech, the fixed landing gear takes away a highly-technical system on the aircraft. Since the aircraft is geared toward minimalistic airports (or less), a fixed gear makes perfect sense. It also saves a lot of maintenance over the years. But even the most robust airplane with the most popular turboprop ever made (PT6A) eventually breaks down, especially with some of the airframes in operation pushing four decades old. That’s why a reliable supply chain is an absolute must-have for your operation.
The Caravan also found second life in the military, operating as a light attack airframe. Dubbed the AC-208 Combat Caravan, or the Eliminator, the AC-208 is an excellent platform for light strike. Rugged, light-weight, and able to operate out of almost any airstrip in the world
The best hedge of defense against unplanned delays from the aircraft comes in a readily available supply of parts so that you can get them when you need them. Instead of wasting your time sourcing the parts and jumping through hoops to get it, let Greenwood Aerospace take care of it.
Greenwood Aerospace is a renowned leader in the supply and procurement of OEM and aftermarket parts, along with aircraft ground support, kitting and logistics services, foreign military sales program support, and with MIL-SPEC packaging. Greenwood Aerospace is the preferred partner of the largest Defense Contractors, Armed Forces, and Government Agencies in the United States.
Greenwood Aerospace team members combine for over 100 years of experience in government procurement, serving the largest contractors and government agencies in the United States. Located in Ponca City, OK, we use our centralized location to streamline aerospace craft and parts acquisition and distribution.
We feature a fully-certified team on site to fulfill all of your immediate and long-term aerospace demands. As a Small Business SBA-Certified Hubzone and Native American-Owned Business, we offer the Indian Incentive Program (IIP) to all our federal contractors, providing more cost-effective solutions to our clients. Let Greenwood Aerospace be your trusted partner in all your aerospace needs.
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