Cessna Sets World's Record By Delivering 150,000 Single Engine Piston Airplanes

July 27, 2004
Wichita, KS - July 27, 2004 - Today, Cessna Aircraft Company established another industry-first by delivering its 150,000th single engine piston aircraft, a 172S Skyhawk SP. Cessna is the world's leading general aviation manufacturer and has delivered more airplanes than all other commercial manufacturers combined. More than half the aircraft flying in the world today are Cessnas.

The 150,000th aircraft is commemorated by a one-of-a-kind 150,000th emblem, and was delivered to Sporty's Pilot Shop during a ceremony held at EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The 172S Skyhawk SP will be Sporty's 2004 Super Sweepstakes Grand Prize. The airplane is valued at over $200,000.

"This is a great day for Cessna and the general aviation industry," said Cessna's President and CEO, Jack Pelton. "From day one, Cessna has set out to teach the world to fly. We have challenged ourselves to design and manufacture airplanes that meet customers' needs. Our customers are the most important part of our business, and we refuse to give them anything other than industry leading products with renowned quality, superior performance, and incomparable safety records.

"It is appropriate that a 172 Skyhawk is Cessna's 150,000th single engine piston airplane. Not only is the 172 the world's best selling airplane, it is a timeless classic that has proven itself to be the world's safest and most reliable. The 36,000-plus aircraft in the 172 fleet have earned this impressive status by accumulating millions of flight hours while being flown in nearly every scenario imaginable."

Cessna Aircraft Company was formed in 1927 after Clyde Cessna recognized the enormous potential of air travel. Clyde Cessna started the company with the goal of producing monoplanes with cantilevered wings, and positioned the company on a path for greatness. From the first U.S. general aviation manufacturer to mass-produce an aircraft with a cantilevered wing (1927) to the first U.S. general aviation manufacturer to receive FAA certification for the amazing Garmin G-1000 all-glass, fully integrated avionics suite (2004); Cessna has lead the aviation industry for over 77 years.

Cessna's current single engine piston aircraft product line includes the 172R Skyhawk, 172S Skyhawk SP, 182T Skylane, T182T Turbo Skylane, 206H Stationair, and T206H Turbo Stationair. Cessna's most recent upgrade to its single engine piston aircraft product line is the addition of Garmin's new G1000 all-glass integrated avionics system as a NAV III option. The jet-like, G1000 avionics package is the most advanced flight deck package to fly on a single engine piston aircraft.

In addition to delivering more aircraft than any other manufacturer, Cessna has taught more people to fly. Over half a million people have learned to fly through Cessna's worldwide network of Cessna Pilot Centers (CPCs). The CPC training concept was introduced over 30 years ago, and there are currently nearly 300 flight schools in the network. Students taking flight lessons at CPCs use Cessna's exclusive Computer Based Instruction (CBI) program, the only fully integrated flight training system available today. Cessna's single engine piston aircraft are produced in a 260,000 square foot main assembly plant and 150,000 square feet separate paint and delivery facility in Independence, Kansas.

Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in 40 countries. 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, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.

For additional information or questions about the general aviation industry, contact the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) at 202-393-1500 or www.GAMA.aero.

Connect with Textron IR

David Rosenberg, Vice President, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288
Kyle Williams, Manager, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288

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