Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II
The Reims - Cessna F406 Caravan II is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, which is manufactured on the basis of various other Cessna grades the French manufacturer Reims Aviation SA (now a subsidiary of GECI Aviation ).
Development and Construction
The F406 is a twin-engine low-wing aircraft for up to 12 passengers with a nose wheel retractable landing gear. The machine is made entirely of metal, but does not have a pressurized cabin. The system components are from the Cessna 425, the fuselage of the Cessna 404 and the wings of the Cessna 441, the first flight of the machine (code F- WLZT ) took place on 22 September 1983.
There are two variants: the VIGILANT, for surveillance and other military tasks and version COMMUTER for passenger and freight transport. The guy has an approval to FAR23 and SFAR41. Permitted operating under IFR and VFR is also at risk of icing.
The main customers of the delivered machine from 1984 were small charter airlines such as the Tulip - Air or the Atlantic Express. The only German commercial operator is the Air - taxi europe with two aircraft of this type (S / N 007 and S / N 050).
In addition, the type used by the French customs authorities and the army. In the UK it is used by the Coast Guard.
Up to now (May 2008) 94 machines have been produced.
Military user
- French Army