Yingling Aviation, Cessna, Garmin and CAV Aerospace Team to Upgrade FedEx Express Caravan Fleet

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