Oshkosh, WI – July 26, 2010 –Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron (NYSE: TXT) company, sold new aircraft to nine global training fleets in the first half of 2010, marked by the recent delivery of the 12th 172 Skyhawk to a Russian training program, keeping Cessna as an industry leader in flight training solutions.
Since January, Cessna has delivered more than 60 aircraft to major aviation university programs in the United States and for training programs in countries such as Egypt, Korea, Turkey and Uganda, in addition to several programs in Russia.
"We're excited about the level of activity in the training market around the globe," said Robert Gibbs, director of International Sales, Propeller Aircraft. "What we're seeing in Russia is beginning to mirror the level of activity in the training market we've seen around the world, whether for university programs, for-profit flight schools, government training programs or commercial airline training programs."
Gibbs said popular models remain the 172 Skyhawk and 162 Skycatcher, but some programs look for aircraft with the advanced performance found in 182 Skylanes and 206 Stationairs, 208 Caravans and Citations.
"The reasons Cessna aircraft are so popular with training programs is the range of products we offer – whatever is required, we have aircraft to meet their needs – the reliability of our products and Cessna's reputation for customer service," Gibbs said. "They know our support network is one of the largest in the industry. If they need support, it is likely going to be very close by."
About Cessna Aircraft Company
Cessna is the world's leading general aviation company, based on unit sales, with five major lines of business: Citation business jets, Caravan single-engine turboprops, Cessna single-engine piston aircraft, aftermarket services and lift solutions by CitationAir. In 2009, Cessna delivered 754 aircraft, including 289 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $3.3 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 6,000 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.