Citation Mustang Assembled in Independence, Kansas

February 16, 2004
Independence, KS - February 16, 2004 - Before an enthusiastic crowd of Cessna team members, government officials, and aviation representatives, Cessna Aircraft Company's President and CEO Jack J. Pelton announced that Cessna's newest business jet, the Citation Mustang, will be assembled in Independence, Kansas.

"This is an important day for Cessna and Kansas," said Pelton. "Nearly eight years ago we dedicated this facility with the revival of our new single engine piston aircraft product line. Today, we're excited to announce that a new era of business jets will be built in Independence.

"We thoroughly analyzed all aspects related to building the Mustang at all current facilities. The Wichita and Independence facilities were the two final choices. Both facilities have excess capacity, a dedicated workforce, and a good partnership with the community. And, they both have a reputation for building quality products.

"The final decision is to assemble the Mustang at our Independence facility and manufacture the Mustang wings at our Columbus facility. The Mustang is unique in our line of business jet models. It will be comprehensively equipped, high volume, and price sensitive. The assembly process will be different than the process for customized business jets built in Wichita. And, as we look to the future, the excess capacity currently in Wichita will be needed for the ramp up of the CJ3, Sovereign and other new future products.

"The Independence-based Cessna team has proven that they are up to the challenge of building the world's newest and best introductory business jet. They have made remarkable manufacturing advancements with Lean and Textron Six Sigma that have opened up manufacturing space that will now be used to assemble the Citation Mustang."

With over 200 orders already taken, Cessna anticipates Citation Mustang deliveries to be higher than any other Citation model. When the Mustang reaches full production, Cessna expects to have increased its Independence workforce by approximately 500. Currently, Cessna employs approximately 350 people in Independence.

The Cessna Independence facility sits on a 213-acre site. Current structures on the property include separate assembly, paint and delivery facilities that total nearly 400,000 square feet.

Cessna broke ground for its Independence facility on May 19, 1995. Less than 14 months later, on July 3, 1996, Cessna officially restarted production of its single engine piston aircraft. Production line flow of the first Cessna piston engine singles since 1986 commenced on July 10, 1996, and the first customer delivery, a 172R, took place in January 1997. In 2004, Cessna will celebrate the delivery of the 5000th single engine piston aircraft since restarting production. Today, Cessna produces six single engine piston aircraft at its Independence facility: 172R Skyhawk, 172S Skyhawk SP, 182T Skylane, Turbo T182T Skylane, 206H Stationair, and T206H Stationair.

Independence, Kansas, is located approximately 125 miles southeast of Wichita in Montgomery County. The Cessna facility is located approximately 5 miles southwest of the town. Independence, Kansas, is home to approximately 10,000 people.

Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT). Textron is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.

For additional information or questions about the general aviation industry, contact the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) at 202-393-1500 or www.GAMA.aero.
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