Cessna to Use Bell’s European Parts Center to Enhance AOG Support

May 12, 2009
Geneva, Switzerland - May 12, 2009 - Cessna Aircraft Company announced today at the annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibit (EBACE) it has reached agreement with sister company Bell Helicopter to use Bell’s European parts distribution facility at Amsterdam Airport Schipol (AMS/EHAM) to further enhance parts distribution to Citation operators in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Both Cessna and Bell are Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) companies.

“This announcement is a continuation of the process begun more than a year ago to increase Citation parts availability in Europe, and will greatly decrease our response time for AOG situations,” said Mark Paolucci, Cessna senior vice president, Customer Service. “We looked at a number of other options but chose Bell’s Amsterdam distribution group for their experience in aerospace, their leadership in customer service, and the synergies afforded by working with another Textron company.”

AOG, or Aircraft on Ground, means the aircraft needs a part to operate and is the most serious of any aircraft service requirement.

Paolucci said operators will continue to work directly with Cessna’s full customer support network of authorized service centers, the company’s own Paris Citation Service Center or Citation Parts Distribution.

“This new process is completely transparent to the customer, other than seeing their aircraft operational again much quicker as this new process moves the part one day closer,” Paolucci said.

About 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.

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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