OSHKOSH, Wis. (July 20, 2015) – Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced an agreement with Zhoushan AVIC Joy Air General Air Co., Ltd. for 20 Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian aircraft. The aircraft are expected to start being delivered later this year out of the company’s joint venture facility, Cessna-AVIC Aircraft (Shijiazhuang) Co., Ltd. The joint venture between Cessna and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (CAIGA) assembles and delivers Caravan utility turboprop aircraft for the Chinese market.
“The availability of the Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian aircraft in China has sparked a new segment in the aviation market as operators now have the ideal product to meet the demand for increased aerial sightseeing and charter tourist flights,” said Kevin Wu, vice president of Sales in the region. “Joy Air Holdings’ selection of the Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian is a testament to the aircraft’s performance, comfort and reliability. The Caravan continues to be the most popular utility turboprop aircraft because of the value and reliability the aircraft brings to companies looking to grow their business, while also providing customers an exceptional flight experience and access to remote locations.”
Headquartered in Shanghai, Joy Air Holdings already owns two Grand Caravan EX Amphibians and will use the additional aircraft for commuter flights between coastal areas including Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Yunnan province, and also for air tours and charter flights.
About the Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian
Equipped with Wipaire’s Wipline 8750 floats, the Grand Caravan EX is transformed into a versatile amphibious aircraft, allowing it to accommodate more complex flight operations in a wider range of environments. The aircraft is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 867-horsepower turbine powerplant and is easy and economical to maintain while providing remarkable dispatch reliability. The aircraft can fly for more than 800 nautical miles (1,482 kilometers) at speeds in excess of 160 knots (296 kilometers/hour). As the largest single-engine amphibious aircraft on the market, the aircraft can accommodate seating for two pilots and up to nine passengers in a first-class interior configuration.
Celebrating 30 years of the Cessna Caravan
This year, Cessna celebrates 30 years of the Cessna Caravan and expects to deliver its 2,500th aircraft in the coming months. The fleet, which is now certified in 100 countries, has amassed more than 13 million flight hours since the aircraft was introduced in 1985. Caravans fulfill roles for multiple missions, such as aerial photography and mapping, commuter airlines and VIP transport, cargo carriers, humanitarian missions, flight training and recreation.
