Cessna has announced certification for hard point provisions on the Cessna Grand Caravan EX. These hard points allow operators additional mission capabilities such as extended range with additional fuel tanks, increased cargo space, agricultural operations and the ability to configure the aircraft for missions that require armament. A mock-up of a Grand Caravan EX wing with hard points was displayed at the Farnborough Airshow.

The Grand Caravan EX is suited for a wide array of operations due to its spacious and easily reconfigurable cabin, high useful load of more than 1,588kg, large cargo door and the ability to operate from short, unimproved surfaces. The aircraft continues to serve in a variety of special mission applications, including aerial survey, air ambulance, amphibious operations, surveillance, training and utility/transport.

In other news the company debuted at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture the Cessna Turbo Stationair HD, an enhanced version of its Cessna Turbo Stationair T206H single-engine piston aircraft. The Cessna Turbo Stationair HD is now available to customers and features a gross weight increase of 86kg, giving the aircraft a maximum useful load of 667kg in its standard configuration with six seats, or 736kg in a rugged utility configuration.

The company has also announced that the Cessna TTx piston aircraft has received certifications from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as well as Argentina’s National Civil Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. With these additional certifications, the TTx is now certified in more than 40 countries.