Design work for the Caravan dates back to the early 1980s. First flight of a prototype occurred on December 9, 1982, and certification was granted in October 1984. When production began the following year it became the first all-new single-engine turboprop-powered aircraft to achieve production status.
The Caravan I has had a close association with freight specialist, FedEx, on whose request Cessna especially developed two pure freight versions. The first of these was the 208A Cargomaster (40 delivered), the second was the stretched 208B Super Cargomaster (260 delivered). The first Super Cargomaster flew in 1986 and features a 4-foot stretch and greater payload capacity, including an under fuselage cargo pannier. FedEx's aircraft lack cabin windows. The Caravan also has an optional belly mounted cargo pod.
