Lakeland, FL - April 17, 2007 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced here at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In that the Cessna Caravan has accumulated more than 10 million flight hours.
The single engine turboprop Caravan is used in operations such as passenger and freight transport, aerial mapping and medical evacuation. It can be configured for up to 12 passengers in the cabin. An aftermarket kit is available to configure the Caravan for amphibious operations, making it a versatile tool in wilderness areas. Another option available for Caravan customers is a business-class Oasis interior featuring fully articulating and reclining leather seats, color coordinated leathers, fabrics, carpets and cabinetry, along with several entertainment and refreshment choices.
1,650 Caravans have been delivered in its more than 20-plus year production history. As a testament to the airplane's durability and reliability, the biggest Caravan customer – FedEx - has demonstrated a sustainable dispatch rate of over 99 percent.
Cessna designed the Caravan for use as an outback utility aircraft in the early 1980s. Equipped with a 600 HP Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114, it was the first turbine engine powered, single-engine aircraft put into production by a major aircraft manufacturer. The first Caravan was delivered in 1985.
In 1998, the power plant was changed to the current 675 HP PT6A-114A.
Cessna today produces three versions of the Caravan, the 208 and the longer 208B which is available in passenger configuration - the Grand Caravan, and freight configuration – the Cargomaster.
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2006, Cessna delivered 1,239 aircraft, including 307 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $4.2 billion and a backlog of $8.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 189,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of almost 5,000 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 an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 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.