Wichita, KS - June 26, 2012 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) has challenged high-energy aviation students from around the country to see who can generate the most awareness and hands-on experience for the innovative Cessna Skycatcher. The inaugural "Cessna Discover Flying Challenge" commenced on June 23 at the Cessna Open House in Independence, Kan., an event which commemorated the company's 85 year anniversary.
The pilots left Cessna's Independence facility on Saturday in a Skycatcher with customized paint schemes that identify their participation in this program. Throughout the challenge, they will participate in various fly-ins, air shows and Cessna Pilot Center events over the course of the next five weeks. As part of their creative efforts to drive awareness and virtual engagement in their journey, they will be blogging at www.discoverskycatcher.com, posting videos on the Cessna YouTube channel, and updating Facebook and Twitter feeds documenting their adventure as they go from one destination to the next.
"The Skycatcher is such a unique and accessible aircraft that we wanted to introduce it to the flying public in a manner that reflected the same. We could have opted for traditional advertising, but the Skycatcher is something that you just have to experience - it is an awesome light sport aircraft," said Tracy Leopold, Cessna business leader for the Skycatcher. "We are quite excited to have certified flight instructors as our interns - they have the unique ability to introduce people to the product and take folks on training flights to experience the aircraft firsthand. We have found that once people experience flight in a Skycatcher, their interest in the product increases."
One of the interns involved in the challenge is Zoe Cunningham -- a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Fla., majoring in aeronautical science with minors in air traffic control and applied meteorology. According to Cunningham, "the best part of the Challenge will be sparking that passion for aviation in others and sharing the joy of flight with the Skycatcher."
Fans can follow each pilot's journey through the Cessna Discover Flying Challenge website or through links on the Cessna Facebook page Followers can also track their progress and see the schedule of appearances around the country. The winner will be announced when all pilots reunite at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh convention and fly-in in Oshkosh, Wis.
Conor Dancy, a native of Leesburg, Va. and a senior at George Mason University, is looking forward to the next few weeks of flying but is especially excited about attending the fly-in at Oshkosh. "I couldn't be more excited about this program. I already have more than 60 hours in the Skycatcher and absolutely love flying it," Dancy said. I can't imagine a better way to spend my summer and can't wait to see everyone in Oshkosh."
About Cessna
Cessna is the world's leading general aviation company. Since its inception in 1927, Cessna has designed, produced and delivered more than 192,500 airplanes around the globe. This includes more than 6,100 Citation business jets, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. Today, Cessna has two principal lines of business: aircraft sales and aftermarket services. Aircraft sales include Citation business jets, Caravan single-engine utility turboprops, single-engine piston aircraft and lift solutions by CitationAir. Aftermarket services include parts, maintenance, inspection and repair services. In 2010, Cessna delivered 535 aircraft, including 179 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of $2.6 billion. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at 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 textron.com.
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Contact
Contact: Andy Woodward
Cell: +1 316 641 3579
Email: awoodward@cessna.textron.com