The new large cabin Citation is the first aircraft in the Citation family to be equipped with a hybrid fly-by-wire flight control system developed by Cessna which works with conventional hydraulic actuation to enhance the safety and performance capabilities of the Columbus.

Parker Aerospace will design and manufacture the primary and secondary flight controls, including roll, pitch and yaw axes; high lift; stabilizer trim; and speed brake controls.

The new fly-by-wire flight portion of the control system provides aircraft surface actuators that are electrically commanded based on pilot and avionics inputs. This technology supports enhanced aircraft performance by allowing improved pilot handling and ride quality. Aircraft safety benefits can be realized with improved envelope warning and protection functions, and control redundancy.

The use of fly-by-wire components will remove weight and simplify equipment installation. Combining autoflight and flight augmentation functions into the fly-by-wire system will provide additional weight and reliability benefits.

Further benefits of the new control system include reduced aircraft maintenance costs and enhanced dispatch reliability.

Parker's Control Systems Division currently supplies speed brake and flap actuators for Cessna's Citation CJ4, which will be the largest, longest-range version of the popular CJ line when it enters service in 2010. Other Parker Aerospace divisions support Cessna aircraft with equipment such as wheels, brakes, cabin temperature control systems, fuel and pneumatic components and utility hydraulics.

“Finding the right partner for each system is critical to the success of the Citation Columbus,” said Joe Hepburn, program manager, Citation Columbus. “Parker's extensive experience and long term relationship with Cessna brings confidence in their ability to provide an exceptional flight control system for this new aircraft.”

The Citation Columbus is expected to be the only aircraft in its class capable of 4,000 nautical miles non-stop at Mach .80. Preliminary performance numbers set a maximum cruise speed of 488 knots, a maximum operating speed of Mach .86, a full fuel payload of 1,950 pounds and takeoff field length of 5,400 feet at maximum takeoff weight.

Configurable for up to 10 passengers, the Model 850 will have a cabin length of 36.3 feet including interior baggage space. Cessna's engineering team and its suppliers have designed the clean-sheet Columbus to be one of the most advanced, fuel-efficient, cleanest business jets ever conceived.

The aircraft will debut Pratt & Whitney Canada's next-generation, 8,830 pound-thrust PW810 engines and will feature the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion™ advanced avionics system.

Cessna plans to achieve FAA certification by the end of 2013, with deliveries beginning in 2014.

About Cessna Aircraft Company
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2007, Cessna delivered 1,272 aircraft, including 387 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5 billion. Cessna has a current backlog of $12.6 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 5,100 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 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.

Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including but not limited to the following: [a] changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; [b] the interruption of production at our facilities or at our suppliers' facilities; [c] the timing of new product launches and certifications of new aircraft products; [d] the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which our products are sold or supplied; [e] changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; [f] the launching of significant new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses; [g] changes in national or international government policies on the export and import of commercial products; and [h] bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers that could cause disruptions in our supply chain.