News

Cessna Highlights Largest-Ever Product Line at NBAA

Cessna Aircraft Company, the world’s leading general aviation aircraft manufacturer and a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is bringing its largest-ever product line to the 61st National Business Aviation Association Meeting (NBAA) and Convention at Orange County Convention Center.

While the current economic environment has led to a slowing in order rates, Cessna expects to post the second strongest business jet order year in its history, following last year’s record of over 770 business jet orders. Cessna’s broad and comprehensive product line, value proposition, world-class service and support network, and developing global markets are expected to support continued aircraft new demand, even in the midst of the current economic slowdown.

Since NBAA 2007, Cessna has made significant additions and upgrades to its line of single-engine pistons, turboprops and Citation business jets. There are currently eight single-engine models and one in development; four Caravan models; and eight Citation models in production with two in the development process.

In addition to new aircraft development from the bottom to the top of the product range, Cessna has added the high-performance, composite Cessna 350 and 400 single-engine pistons. The all-new SkyCatcher light sport aircraft, announced last year, is well into the flight and static testing phase.

Cessna launched its largest aircraft – the large-cabin, intercontinental Citation Columbus – in January and the product has been very well received by customers. The company is aggressively moving the program through the design stage, and will break ground within the month on a new Columbus plant in Wichita, Kan., that will house engineering, final assembly and more than 1,000 new direct employees.