Wichita, KS - June 10, 2009 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today it will offer the Aircell in-flight, high-speed wireless data system for the Citation XLS+, Citation Sovereign and Citation X. The system provides complete wireless broadband laptop, tablet PC or PDA connectivity for passengers and crew at altitudes greater than 10,000 feet above the ground in the continental United States.
The system will be an option for deliveries starting in the second quarter of 2010.
"The Aircell system will greatly enhance the already superb utility of Cessna Citations as powerful business tools, providing constant, en-route contact in a fast-paced business environment," said Roger Whyte, senior vice president, Cessna Sales & Marketing.
The system, delivering maximum speeds comparable to a typical DSL connection, features an ATG 4000 transceiver, a configuration module, and two antennas, and it requires Aircell's Axxess II dual-channel Iridium satellite telephone system (a standard feature on the Citation X).
Features of the system include multiple user access via the in-cabin wireless router, the ability to send and receive e-mails with attachments, access to virtual private networks (VPN), and various service plans.
Cessna Aircraft Company
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2008, Cessna delivered 1,301 aircraft, including 467 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5.662 billion. Cessna has a backlog of $13 billion as of March 31, 2009. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 5,700 Citations, making it 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 multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, 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, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.