Cessna

Cessna 425 Conquest I

The Cessna 425 Conquest I is a twin‑engine, pressurized business aircraft that emerged from Cessna’s effort to fill the gap between its light piston models and larger turboprops in the early 1980s. Certified in 1980, the Conquest I was derived from the earlier Cessna 421, but it replaced the piston engines with two Pratt & Whitney PT6A‑27 turboprops, delivering 620 shaft‑horsepower each. This power upgrade, combined with a reinforced airframe and a modernized flight‑deck, gave the aircraft a cruise speed of approximately 300 knots and a service ceiling near 30,000 feet, while still maintaining the short‑field performance that made Cessna popular with regional operators.

Key features include a fully pressurized cabin with seating for eight passengers, a digital avionics suite that evolved into the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, and an advanced de‑icing system suited for all‑weather operations. The aircraft’s fuel efficiency, reliability, and relatively low operating costs positioned it as a favored choice for corporate flight departments and charter services during the 1980s and 1990s.

In aviation history, the 425 Conquest I marked Cessna’s successful transition into turboprop business jets, bridging the market between piston twins and larger turboprops, and demonstrating that high‑performance, pressurized turboprop travel could be both economical and comfortable for the burgeoning demand of executive aviation.

Dimensions

Length
10.9 metre

Production & History

Units Produced
236
First Flight
1978
Service Entry
1980

Design & Classification

Country of Origin
Manufacturer
Cessna
Developer
Cessna
Wikidata ID
Q1057259