Cessna Delivers First Retail Citation XLS+

December 16, 2008
Wichita, KS - December 16, 2008 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, yesterday completed the first Citation XLS+ retail delivery to an undisclosed customer based on the East Coast of the United States. The XLS+ is the latest version of the world’s best-selling business jet model.

First announced in October 2006, the Citation XLS+ achieved Federal Aviation Administration certification on May 30; European Aviation Safety Agency certification is in process and expected to be complete in early 2009.

The order book exceeds 200 for the XLS+, an upgrade of the mid-size XLS. The original Citation Excel was delivered in July 1998, followed by the Citation XLS in July 2004. The series has accumulated a global fleet of nearly 680 planes and more than 1.5 million flight hours.

“With the XLS+, Cessna continues the tradition of the Excel and XLS as the most affordable stand-up cabin business jet,” said Roger Whyte, senior vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We’ve incorporated “Voice of The Customer” throughout the design of the XLS+, including increased serviceability. This aircraft has the most advanced diagnostic system on any Cessna Citation to date.”

The Citation XLS+ features the fully integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and electronically controlled (FADEC) engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada. Exterior and interior restyling is also integrated into the new model, most prominently the extended contour of the nose and expanded seat widths, both introduced to more closely resemble Cessna’s Citation X and Citation Sovereign models.

The Citation XLS+ travels as fast as 441 knots (817 kilometers per hour) with a range of more than 1,858 nautical miles (3,441 kilometers). At maximum takeoff weight it will depart from runways as short as 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) at standard, sea-level conditions. It will land on runways as short as 2,700 feet (823 meters) at its typical landing weight.

High-resolution air-to-air images of the XLS+ are available at www.cessna.com/news/gallery.html

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 backlog of $15.6 billion as of September 30, 2008. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 191,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 5,400 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a $12.6 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, 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, 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.

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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