Independence, KS - March 6, 2013 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the Cessna TTx completed its first production flight on Saturday, March 2. The single engine composite aircraft departed from the Cessna facility in Independence, Kan. and performed the flight in and around southeast Kansas.
"The TTx performed exceptionally well," said Brian Steele, business leader for the TTx. "In the course of the flight, the pilot took the aircraft to 17,000 feet, and achieved a speed of 213 kts. The TTx is a nimble, top of the line airplane. It's the world's fastest fixed gear, single engine piston aircraft in production - pilots who like to go fast and go in style are going to enjoy the TTx."
Cessna announced they had started production of the TTx at the Sun 'n Fun air show in Lakeland, Fla., in 2012. The TTx is capable of reaching top speeds of 235 kts (270 mph). The aircraft features an optional Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) system and an operating ceiling of 25,000 feet, both of which allows greater flexibility to plan flights in varying weather conditions. At long range settings, the TTx has the ability to cross the United States with only a single stop. During the development process, the TTx has flown 275 flights and logged 339 hours in the air.
The TTx is the first aircraft to be equipped with the Garmin G2000 avionics system and features a glass cockpit with dual 14.1 inch high definition displays and touch screen controls. The TTx is also equipped with the Garmin Electronic Stability Protection (ESP) system, a feature designed to help pilots keep the high-performance aircraft operating within the normal flight envelope. Inside the cabin, passengers will find a comfortable interior, featuring stitched, leather seats and seat belt airbags.
"Being able to celebrate the maiden flight of the first production TTx is a rewarding experience for everyone who has helped with making the TTx a reality," said Jodi Noah, Cessna's senior vice president of single engine/propeller aircraft. "This program has many passionate followers, and this is a moment we've all been eagerly anticipating. Congratulations to the team for delivering on Cessna's promise, and for taking this next step towards delivering the TTx to the marketplace."
TTx first production flight image 1
TTx first production flight image 2
About Cessna
Cessna is the world's leading general aviation company. Since its inception in 1927, Cessna has designed, produced and delivered nearly 200,000 airplanes around the globe. This includes 6,500 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 2012, Cessna delivered 571 aircraft, including 181 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of $3.111 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 www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements 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 statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors; difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers' ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and continued demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business.
Contacts
Contact: Andy Woodward
Office: +1 316 517 1927
Email: awoodward@cessna.com
Contact: Stephanie Harder
Office: +1 316 640 2872
Email: sharder@cessna.com