Cessna 425 Corsair

Twin Turboprop· 162 globally registered

The Cessna 425 Corsair, later renamed the Conquest I, was Cessna's first pressurized twin turboprop when it entered production in 1980. Built as a step-up from the unpressurized Cessna 421 Golden Eagle, the 425 married the 421's airframe with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-112 turboprops and a pressurization system capable of maintaining a 5,000-foot cabin at 20,000 feet. The type offered owner-pilots and small charter operators a compelling blend of cabin-class comfort, 230-knot cruise speeds, and the reliability of PT6 engines in a package that could operate from shorter runways than competing light jets. Production ran until 1986, with approximately 236 aircraft built before Cessna shifted focus to the larger Conquest II. The Corsair found a niche among corporate flight departments, air ambulance operators, and freight haulers who valued its 1,000-nautical-mile range and ability to carry six passengers in pressurized comfort. Today the type remains active in owner-flown and light charter roles, prized for its relatively modest operating costs compared to jets and its go-anywhere utility. The 425's operating envelope includes a service ceiling of 30,000 feet and a maximum cruise speed of 235 knots, though most operators fly it in the 200-220 knot range for fuel efficiency. SkyMeter has tracked 253 flights across 69 airframes and 62 operators, with AIR FLAIR INC the largest observed operator.