Wichita, KS - April 11, 2005 - Cessna Pilot Centers (CPCs) continue to set the industry's private pilot and instrument rating training standards. In 2004, sales of Cessna's exclusive, fully-integrated computer based instruction (CBI) training materials were up by 5.5 percent. Sales of training course material are viewed by the industry as a benchmark in determining the number of people beginning to pursue their private pilot's certificate.

Cessna has been "teaching the world to fly" through its worldwide CPC network for over 35 years. Recent data compiled from Cessna's CBI course management module shows that the average time for a student to obtain their private pilot's certificate while using Cessna's CBI course is 54.5 hours. This is almost 30 percent less than the national average.

"CBI training kit sales are an indicator of industry-wide private pilot training trends. We have an established tracking system that monitors the results of our entire CPC network of over 300 flight schools," said Brumley Smith, Manager of Cessna Pilot Centers. "In addition to experiencing an increase in new student starts, we've also had a steady increase of flight schools applying to be authorized CPCs. We have more CPCs in the network now than at anytime in the past four years, and that number grows weekly." Cessna Pilot Centers span the globe with over 300 facilities in the United States, Mexico, Australia, Puerto Rico, New Zealand and Jamaica. By combining a state-of-the-art private pilot CBI course with training in new 172 Skyhawks, CPCs make learning to fly easy and convenient. The CBI kit was produced in conjunction with King Schools in 1998 and is the only fully integrated flight training system on the market. It consists of 27 fully interactive CD-ROMs where students learn from full screen and full motion digital video segments, followed by a series of interactive questions that are presented in a fun-to-use style. In 2000, Cessna announced the Instrument Computer Based Instruction (I-CBI) training program for pilots pursuing their instrument rating. Like the CBI curriculum, I-CBI was produced with King Schools and uses a fully interactive CD-ROM format so students can learn at home, while traveling, or at their CPC. The CBI and I-CBI curriculum is available exclusively at Cessna Pilot Centers.

Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron. Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company with 44,000 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, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com or 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.