Wichita, KS - Kansas companies Yingling Aviation and Garmin International have entered separate contracts with FedEx Express to upgrade Cessna 208 Caravan cargo aircraft with the TKS Ice Protection System and Garmin G600 avionics suite. FedEx Express owns a fleet of approximately 250 Cessna Caravan aircraft. Yingling will perform the installation work at its facility in Wichita while Garmin, Cessna and CAV Aerospace, also Kansas companies, will support Yingling’s work.
Yingling expects to install CAV Aerospace’s TKS Ice Protection System and Garmin G600 avionics suite at a ramp up rate of 50 aircraft per year. Cessna and Garmin will provide technical support. No details on contract value were released but Yingling said it would add up to 30 employees to its work force for the contract.
Entering this contract is good news for the aerospace industry in Kansas, particularly with the current economic environment,” said Yingling President Lynn Nichols. “We are thrilled to be working with FedEx Express on this project that will enhance the company’s Caravan fleet with the latest in ice protection and glass cockpit technology.”
Cessna, based in Wichita, will provide technical and parts support for Yingling. Garmin, based in Olathe, near Kansas City, produces the G600 avionics suite that includes SVT Synthetic Vision Technology and new Mode S transponders. CAV Aerospace, with headquarters in Salina, produces the TKS system for advanced ice protection.
“This program reflects the importance of collaboration among our companies to generate business and support each other, especially in these challenging times,” said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton. “The Caravan has proven to be a versatile airframe and is certainly a key part of the FedEx Express fleet. This upgrade will help it meet FedEx Express’s future operational requirements.”
“Installing the latest technology avionics from Garmin — another Kansas company — is also something that is very gratifying to us,” said Garmin’s Vice President of Marketing Gary Kelley. “The G600 is an ideal cockpit for FedEx Express because it’ll give them the advantages of an all-glass Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multifunctional Display (MFD) with industry-leading features like Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) and SafeTaxi.”
“CAV Aerospace is pleased to have partnered with Cessna on FAA ice protection certification and after-market installation kits for this important project that will generate jobs and business for fellow Kansans,” said CAV Aerospace Inc. President Kevin Hawley.
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $33 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit www.fedex.com.About Yingling
Yingling Aviation has been affiliated with Cessna Aircraft Company longer than any other authorized affiliate, having been named the first Cessna dealer established in 1946. Its approximately 100 + Wichita-based employees are dedicated to serving customers. A full general aviation services provider at Mid-Continent Airport (ICT) in Wichita, Kansas, Yingling is also a Cessna and McCauley Propeller Authorized Service Center specializing in servicing Cessna turboprop, jet and piston aircraft. It is also the largest independent Cessna parts supplier in the world. It provides comprehensive support to the full range of new and legacy Cessna aircraft, offering the experience and expertise of trained, top-notch FlightSafety trained technicians, proximity to the factory, and familiarity with local vendors. Cessna selected Yingling as the Cessna SkyCatcher reassembly facility in 2009. In addition, Yingling provides avionics, interiors and a variety of aircraft sales, charter, Cessna Pilot Center flight training and management services, Yingling Aviation can be reached by calling (316) 943-3246 or on the web at www.yinglingaviation.com.About Cessna
Cessna, a Textron (NYSE: TXT) company, is the world’s leading general aviation company, based on unit sales, with five major lines of business: Citation business jets, Caravan single-engine turboprops, Cessna single-engine piston aircraft, aftermarket services and lift solutions by CitationAir. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 6,000 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.
