WICHITA, Kan., July 21, 2008 – Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today it has achieved European Aviation Safety Agency certification to deliver Caravan models with Garmin G1000 integrated avionics as standard equipment.
Cessna earned Federal Aviation Administration certification for the upgraded configuration and began deliveries in April.
"We took a record 272 Caravan orders in 2007, and orders continue to be brisk this year," said John Doman, Cessna vice president of worldwide propeller aircraft sales. "We have significantly increased production rates, and we're looking forward to starting deliveries of the upgraded Caravans in Europe."
Cessna customers now will find the G1000 package on every aircraft ranging from the Skyhawk single-engine piston through the Citation Mustang entry-level business jet.
The Garmin G1000 system designed for the Caravan line the Cessna 208, the Grand Caravan (208B) and the Super Cargomaster includes three 10" displays and incorporates the GFC700, an integrated, dual-channel digital autopilot. Other features include a flight director, go-around mode, Wide Area Augmentation System and SafeTaxiTM. Radar, TAWS-B, XM radio and XM weather are optional features.
Additionally, Cessna now offers an optional TKS anti-ice system on cargo pod-equipped Caravans. The system releases glycol-based fluid through laser-drilled panels on the leading edges of the wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizers to reduce ice accumulation. A slinger ring on the propeller also emits fluid to minimize ice accumulation on the prop, windshield, cargo pod and landing gear. Cessna is currently developing a TKS option for non-cargo pod-equipped Caravans.
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2007, Cessna delivered 1,272 aircraft, including 387 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5 billion. Cessna has a current backlog of $16 billion through June 30, 2008. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 190,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 5,200 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com. Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including but not limited to the following: [a] changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; [b] the interruption of production at our facilities or at our suppliers' facilities; [c] the timing of new product launches and certifications of new aircraft products; [d] the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which our products are sold or supplied; [e] changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; [f] the launching of significant new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses; [g] changes in national or international government policies on the export and import of commercial products; and [h] bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers that could cause disruptions in our supply chain.
