I "think" Cessna knew all along that Pilatus wouldn't sit on their hands and would come up with something to narrow the gap. But we don't know what that gap is!
I think Cessna may be shooting for 300kts or close to it....
FADEC evens the playing field somewhat.
But I'm disappointed that Pilatus didn't address the pressurization gap... That's huge!!!

There is no pressurization gap until you see a Denali actually flying.

I think Cessna reads these forums and they now know that if they released a 300+ knot Denali they could change aviation. On the other hand, I think Pilatus held back their best tricks on NGX. They just bought themselves another 5 years with the current airframe. Smart move on their part.

Agreed, I believe that NGX engine and PROP improvements will do 300knots, just not until someone pushes them to do it though.

I agree, it’s not flying yet, but I hardly think that they will fall short on the advertised pressurization, that can be determined/tested without a flying aircraft....
Now top speed on the other hand is wait and see...

I normally fly in the high 20's to 30k. The pressurization for me in the PC12 has not been an issue and I fly a lot of long legs.

Looks like they might be behind schedule. Haven't started flight testing engine. Set to test on a King Air this spring.

https://www.flightglobal.com/business-aviation/catalyst-turboprop-flight-testing-to-start-this-spring/136828.article

Thanks for posting the article.

At this point I feel the Denali is a yawn. It's too little too late. I still wish they had redesigned the KA line instead.

If any King Air test rig is using the same powerplant destined for the Denali, it's got to be a 350. Unless they're severely derating an engine on a 200/250.

And a 350 with two FADEC GE engines would be awesome. I wish I could be on the inside of companies when testing new stuff.

There is no pressurization gap until you see a Denali actually flying.

I think Cessna reads these forums and they now know that if they released a 300+ knot Denali they could change aviation. On the other hand, I think Pilatus held back their best tricks on NGX. They just bought themselves another 5 years with the current airframe. Smart move on their part.

I heard "Denali 01" talking to ATC Wednesday while I was flying from Watsonville, CA to Phoenix. It seems they are out there flying.

I don’t think Textron is pushing too hard. Can’t really develop an airplane when you laid all the engineers and test pilots off...

I don’t think Textron is pushing too hard. Can’t really develop an airplane when you laid all the engineers and test pilots off...

No, they didn’t lay off all engineers and test pilots, just the ones that weren’t on an active project at that time.

That was probably some guys call sign and not a Cessna Denali.

That was probably some guys call sign and not a Cessna Denali.