Cessna Receives Order for 31 Aircraft from Germany’s Air Alliance

October 04, 2007
Hartford, CT - October 4, 2007 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced at the annual Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Expo that Air Alliance GmbH has ordered 31 single engine aircraft.

Citing a significant increase in the demand for single engine aircraft in Germany, Air Alliance added two Caravan 208 aircraft and nine Grand Caravans to their previous order of 14 Caravans placed earlier this year. The order also included 10 turbo diesel-equipped Skyhawks to supply immediate needs for diesel-powered flight training aircraft, and 10 SkyCatchers sold primarily to private individuals.

“The Garmin G1000 integrated glass panel technology in the Caravan created a growth spurt in Caravan sales in the European market,” said Wolfgang Krombach, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Alliance. “We're expecting an increase of 10-20 Caravan sales per year which is double the number we've seen in previous years.”

Cessna recently announced the Garmin G1000 integrated avionics package will be standard equipment for all Caravan models: the Cessna 208, the Grand Caravan (208B) and the Super CargoMaster, with incorporation beginning in the first half of 2008.

The Garmin G1000 system designed for the Caravan includes three 10” displays – two primary flight displays (PFD) and one multi function display (MFD). Features include the GFC700 integrated, dual-channel digital autopilot, a flight director, go-around mode and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) which can provide precision guidance to airports where there are currently no precision approaches. It also includes SafeTaxiTM – a graphical representation of the aircraft on the ground in the airport environment in relation to labeled taxiways, runways and buildings during taxi. Radar, TAWS-B, XM radio and XM weather are optional features.

Cessna will also offer optional TKS ice protection from Aerospace Systems & Technology, Inc. on cargo pod-equipped Caravans scheduled for delivery during the first half of 2008. The TKS ice protection system releases glycol based fluid through laser-drilled panels on the leading edges of the wings, and horizontal and vertical stabilizers to reduce ice accumulation. A slinger ring on the propeller also emits fluid to minimize ice accumulation on the prop, windshield, cargo pod and landing gear.

Introduced at the 2007 AOPA Expo, the Skyhawk TD (turbo diesel) features a FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) equipped Thielert Centurion 2.0 engine. The DOHC (double overhead camshaft) in-line four-cylinder turbocharged engine has 155 horsepower, is liquid cooled and powers a composite three-blade constant speed propeller.

Cessna's two-seat SkyCatcher brings proven support and experience to the light sport market combined with new technology. The SkyCatcher features a new innovative stick design, forward pivoting seats and Garmin's G300 panel exclusively designed for the 162.

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. Cessna has a current backlog of $11 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 190,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 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.

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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