Cessna T303 Crusader

{{Short description|American light twin-engine aircraft}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Use American English|date=November 2021}} {{refimprove|date=September 2008}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name= T303 Crusader |image= File:Cessna crusader.jpg |caption= Cessna T303 Crusader |type= Six-seat twin engine cabin monoplane |national_origin= United States |manufacturer= Cessna Aircraft Company |designer= |first_flight= February 14, 1978 |introduction= 1982 |retired= |status= |primary_user = |more_users = |produced= |number_built= 297<ref name="auto">Aviation Consumer's Used Aircraft Guide</ref> |developed_from= |variants= }}

The '''Cessna T303 Crusader''' is an American six-place light twin-engined aircraft built by Cessna Aircraft Company. Production ceased in 1986.

==Design and development== The original '''Cessna 303 Clipper''' was first flown on February 14, 1978;<ref name="Janes 82 p346">Taylor 1982, p.346.</ref> it was a low-wing four-seat Lycoming-powered twin-engined aircraft that would have competed with the Piper Seminole, Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar, and Beechcraft Duchess. After market demand for four-place light twins declined, only one 303 Clipper was built before Cessna redesigned the aircraft as a six-seat twin. They also renamed the aircraft out of legal concern, since Pan Am Airlines held the trademark on the name "Clipper" in reference to their fleet aircraft.

The new model, designated the '''T303 Crusader''' first flew on October 17, 1979, with the first deliveries being made in October, 1981. The T303 is an all-metal low-wing six-seat twin-engined aircraft with a retractable tricycle undercarriage. At the time, it was the first all-new production twin built by Cessna in over a decade. With a declining market, only 297<ref name="auto"/> were built.

Examples were exported to Europe, with several still operating in the United Kingdom in 2012 and two flying in Goondiwindi, Queensland, Australia. Many are still flying in Colombia in air taxi and private operations.

==Operators==

===Military operators=== ;{{flag|Haiti}}:Haiti Air Corps ;{{flag|Guatemala}}: Armed Forces of Guatemala

==Specifications (T303)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 <ref name="Janes 82 p346-7">Taylor 1982, pp. 346–347.</ref> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=One |capacity=Five passengers |length m= |length ft=30 |length in=5 |span m= |span ft=39 |span in=0+1/2 |height m= |height ft=13 |height in=4 |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=189.2 |airfoil=NACA 23017 (root), NACA 23012 (tip) |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=3305 |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=5150 |fuel capacity={{convert|153|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}} (usable capacity)  |eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=Continental TSIO-520-AE/LTSIO-520-AE |eng1 type=turbocharged air-cooled flat-six piston engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=250

|prop blade number=3 |prop name=McCauley 3AF32C506/82NEB-8 and 3AF32C507/L82NEB-8 counter rotating constant-speed propellers |prop dia m= |prop dia ft=6 |prop dia in=10

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=249 |max speed kts= |max speed note=at {{convert|18000|ft|m|abbr=on}} |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=226 |cruise speed note=at {{convert|20000|ft|m|abbr=on}} (max cruise, 71% power) |stall speed mph=71.5 |stall speed note=(CAS), flaps down, power off |range km= |range miles=1174 |range nmi= |range note=econ cruise at {{convert|10000|ft|m|abbr=on}} 45 min reserves |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=25000 |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1480 |more performance=*'''Takeoff distance from 50 ft (15m):''' {{convert|1750|ft|m|abbr=on}} *'''Landing distance from 50 ft (15m):''' {{convert|1450|ft|m|abbr=on}} |avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent| |related= |similar aircraft= * Beechcraft Baron * Fuji/Rockwell Commander 700 * Cessna 310 * Piper Aztec * Piper PA-34 Seneca |lists= |see also= }}

==References== ;Notes {{reflist}} ;Bibliography * Taylor, John W.R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83''. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. {{ISBN|0-7106-0748-2}}.

==External links== {{commons category-inline|Cessna 303}}

303 Category:1970s United States civil utility aircraft Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Cruciform tail aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1978 Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear