An Inside Look At The Cessna Corvalis TTx 400

Cessna By Textron Aviation

Cessna’s founder Clyde V. Cessna first visited an airshow in 1911, which sparked his interest in designing and producing aircraft. With experience as a mechanic and auto salesman, Clyde made an aircraft with a kit from Queens Airplane Company in the New York area. Clyde practiced flying and, over time, became a fairly good pilot.

1916 presented Clyde with the chance to manufacture aircraft rent-free on one condition. That condition included painting “Jones-Six” underneath the wings of any aircraft he made.

A year later, in 1917, Clyde built the Comet. World War I, however, impacted his business goals, halting sales and production altogether. This was because critical parts and supplies became prioritized for war use. After coming to terms with his failed venture, he returned to farming.

In 1925, wealthy businessmen Walter Beech and Lloyd Stearman allowed Cessna to build and produce more aircraft. They partnered to create Travel Air Manufacturing Company with Cessna as its president. However, Cessna didn’t feel satisfied as president and missed having a more hands-on role in each aircraft’s design and production. Two years later, Cessna partnered with Victor Roos to create the Cessna-Roos Company. Roos, however, left the business shortly after for another opportunity.

Cessna’s business had adequate sales with its A and D series production, but additional roadblocks were still ahead. Private aircraft sales fell to an all-time low in 1931, causing Cessna to close the company again.

Meanwhile, Cessna’s nephew Dwane Wallace attended school, receiving his degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Wichita University. And by 1933, he worked for Beech Aircraft Company, where he convinced its executives to allow his uncle to reopen his shop and continue aircraft production. At the time, Beech’s company worked in a small section of Cessna’s former factory.

Cessna officially retired in 1936, but he sold all Cessna shares to his nephews, Dwane and Dwight Wallace. Under the Wallace Brothers’ leadership, Cessna began to design and build its first twin-engine aircraft in 1938. Before World War II started, the Wallace brothers found that government demands from the U.S. and Canada quickly came in as they needed aircraft for military training. Assisting with World War II caused Cessna’s business to grow rapidly, making it an aviation legend moving forward.

Creating Cessna/Columbia Corvalis

Initially produced by Columbia Aircraft, Cessna’s 400 Corvalis was first designated as the Columbia 400. Established in 1995, Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation was an American-based aircraft manufacturer that focused on designing and building light general aviation aircraft.

Following the production of the Model LC40-550FG, better known as the Columbia 300, Columbia came up with another fixed-gear aircraft with refreshed turbocharged features and a new glass cockpit developed under NASA’s Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments (AGATE) program.

In September of 2007, Columbia announced that it would be purchased by Textron and merged with Cessna’s division. This included the merging of its series of high-performance single-engined aircraft. Because of this merger between the two aircraft manufacturers, Columbia’s 350 and 400 models would take on Cessna’s namesake the Cessna 350 and Cessna 400.

It’s important to note that this particular aircraft has several names including the Columbia 400, Cessna 400, Cessna TTx Model T240, Cessna 350, Corvalis 350, and Corvalis TT for its twin-turbocharged designation. All refer to the same aircraft, however, some are speaking specifically to one variation versus another.

Country of Origin: America

Cessna Corvalis TTx 400

Below are the average statistics for the latest Corvalis variation.

Cessna Corvalis TTx 400 (2018) Statistics:

Maximum Speed: 235 kts
Maximum Range: 1,270 nm
Maximum Occupants: 4
Range Of Years Manufactured: 2004-2018
Total Aircraft Build: 301
Current Operational Aircraft: Unknown
Useful Load: 1,065 lbs
Average Sale Value: $819,000
Average Days On Market For Sale: 70

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Operational Resources

Operations Documents

Maintenance Document

Corvalis TTx 400

Local Resources

Textron Aviation Inc. (Domestic and International Service Centers)
Cessna Flyer Association

Manufacturer

Cessna

Insurance

Cessna Corvalis TTx 400 Details

The following is information about Cessna’s 2018 Corvalis TTX 400 model.

Interior

Using remote keyless entry, the TTx’s interior features side-stick controls on the left-hand side and touch-screen avionics and throttle control on the right. Designed for comfort and a minimalist look, its seating is made of stitched leather and its interior finishes are highly polished.

Several paint and finish combinations for this aircraft could be made including an all-black design, warmer color features, or a combination of both with a dual-tone color scheme. Signature colors include:

Maroon Pearl
Light Autumnwood Pearl
Sovereign Blue Metallic
Sable Pearl
Dark Toreador Red Pearl
Cumulus Gray Pearl
Amazon Blue Pearl
Strawberry Pearl
Medium Concorde Blue Pearl

Exterior

The TTx variant has an extremely light-weight airframe with carbon-fiber wing spars for added strength and durability. Its aerodynamic design is built for less drag while also being able to reach top speeds. With its FIKI (Flight Into Known Icing) Certification, the TTx also offers an optional TKS Ice Protection system for increased flexibility. This aircraft also has an adjustable-pitch, anti-ice, three-blade McCauley® propeller, performance exhaust outlets, and a twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder, fuel-injected, 310 horsepower engine.

Standard Avionics

Garmin G2000 with ESP
Garmin G2000 with SVT
Garmin XM Weather and Radio Data Link (GDL-69)
Garmin TAS (Traffic Advisory System)
Remote Digital Audio Panel with Marker Beacon/Intercom
GMA 36 Touch Screen Controller
GTC 570 Transponder-Mode S with Traffic Information System capability and ADS-B out
GTC 570 Navigation/Communication/GPS/WAAS with GS #1
GIA 63W Navigation/Communication/GPS/WAAS with GS #2
GIA 63W Primary Flight Display
GDU 1400 Multi-Function Display
GDU 1400 Engine/Airframe Computer
GEA 71 Attitude and Heading Reference System (dual)
GRS 77 Air Data Computer with OAT Probe
GDC 74A Magnetometer (dual)
GMU 44 Primary Flight Display Controller
GCU 275 Electronic Checklist Autopilot
GCU 275
Go-Around Switch
Electric Trim
A/P Disconnect
Control Wheel Steering Button Auto Flight Controller System
GMC 720 Garmin SafeTaxi and FliteCharts
L-3 Trilogy Standby Instrument (digitally displays airspeed, altimeter, and attitude)
ESI 1000 Control Stick Push-To-Talk Switch-Pilot/Copilot Mic and Phone Jacks
Pilot/Copilot/Passengers (Bose and Standard)
Artex Emergency Locator Transmitter
ME 406 System
Heated Static System Alternate Static Source
CO Detector/Pulse Oximeter

Specifications

Height: 9 ft.
Length: 25 ft. 2 in.
Wingspan: 36 ft.
Take Ground Roll: 1,280 ft.
Max Climb Rate: 1,400 fpm
Service Ceiling: 25,000 ft.
Max Cruise Speed: 235 kts
Max Range: 1,270 nm
Max Take-Off Weight: 3,600 lbs.
Empty Weight: 2,535 lbs.
Useful Load: 1,065 lbs.
Baggage Capacity: 120 lbs.
Max Passenger: 4

Cessna Corvalis Models

The following includes information about all of Cessna’s Corvalis variations.

Columbia 400

The TTx first appears through its initial 2004 model, produced by Columbia Aircraft. During this time, it is called the Columbia 400 (Cessna Corvalis TT).

Cessna 400 TT Corvalis

Cessna’s 400 TT Corvalis is its own Twin Turbocharged (TT) produced aircraft. Initially sold as a Cessna 400, it received its more specific namesake in January 2009.

Cessna TTx Model T240

This 400 variation is a fixed-gear, low-wing, general aviation (GA) aircraft containing composite materials including carbon fiber and Nomex. Announced in March 2011, this variation also features upgraded avionics and interior characteristics. The TTx made its first flight in March of 2013 and is equipped with Garmin G2000 14 avionics and a 310-horsepower Continental TSIO-550-C engine. Following 171,000 cycles of fatigue testing of its composite airframe (about 120 years of service life), the TTx is the only aircraft in its class to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the Utility category. This variation officially received its FAA certification in July 2013. Its certification for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) was added in June 2014.

Top Cessna Corvalis Questions

Check out FAQs about Cessna’s Corvalis 400 series.

Is Columbia Aircraft Owned By Textron?

Yes. In 2003, Composite Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM) had a controlling interest in Columbia after buying most of its shares at $50 million. By 2006, CTRM expressed interest in selling its shares in the company. One year later in 2007, Textron announced that it would purchase the company and merge it with its Cessna division – all under the promise that Columbia Aircraft would enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

However, 3 other companies bid on Columbia’s shares including Cirrus Design, Versa Capital Management, and Park Electrochemical Corp. Versa and Park even filed motions with the bankruptcy court claiming that Cessna was receiving “preferential treatment in the process.” By November 2007, Cirrus Design announced that it would no longer be pursuing Columbia Aircraft, essentially walking away from its bid.

Ultimately, Textron announced that Cessna Aircraft was the successful bidder and purchased Columbia for $26.4 million, eventually moving production from Oregon to its own headquarters in Kansas.

Where Does The Name Corvalis Come From?

The aircraft’s name Corvalis comes from the town of Corvallis near Columbia’s original headquarters located in Bend, Oregon. Corvallis is just west of Bend and has a population of about 59,922 people.

How Much Is A Cessna Corvalis 400?

The average price for a pre-owned Corvalis 400 is about $315,000.

How Much Does A Cessna TTx Cost Per Hour?

Cessna’s TTx cost about $415.79 per hour.

Why Did Cessna Stop Making TTx?

According to an article published by the AOPA, Cessna stopped production of the TTx because of slow sales officially in February 2018. Sales slipped to 23 units just the year before, which was far under the number of total pistons and piston singles sold by Cessna. A large chunk of their earnings came from their ever-popular SR series of aircraft. Broken down, Cessna sold exactly 129 Skyhawks, 46 Skylanes, and 40 Turbo Stationairs in 2017, the same year that the TTx reported severely low sales.

What Is FIKI Certification?

A FIKI (Flight Into Known Icing) Certification is to ensure that an aircraft can safely travel through atmospheric icing conditions. Terms used to define its capabilities include judgment based on altitude, temperature, Liquid Water Content (LWC), and drop size, which can all comprise the icing envelope.

In order to receive this certification, extensive testing around an aircraft’s tolerance to ice accumulation on unprotected surfaces is done. A few tests to acquire a FIKI Certification include tunnel testing, dry-air testing, icing tanker testing, and flight in natural icing conditions using a flight simulator. Even when this particular certification is received, the FAA still asks that pilots and passengers take flying in icy conditions extremely seriously as an incident in such conditions can be fatal.