Citation Mustang Fuselage Now Being Assembled

October 11, 2004
Las Vegas, NV - October 11, 2004 - Cessna has begun assembling the first Citation Mustang fuselage. The initial fuselage is being built on production tooling at Cessna's Pawnee facility in Wichita, Kansas. Cessna began building fuselage components in August 2003. Assembly of the components began in September 2004.

The Citation Mustang's parts and tooling have been designed using CATIA V5, an enhanced engineering design software program. Engineering and manufacturing technological advancements have made it possible to co-create parts and tooling much sooner as compared to other Citation programs. Early results of the manufacturing program indicate an unequaled match between fuselage skin and tooling. This will result in an extraordinary final fit and finish, and enhanced aerodynamic characteristics.

The Citation Mustang's tooling, like the Sovereign's, will take advantage of a sophisticated product handling system and vacuum conformal holding fixtures. In essence, this tooling allows Cessna to build the airplane from the exterior shell inward, versus building the exterior shell around the interior components. Cessna has combined new tooling with lean manufacturing processes that will result in a consistent, high quality product being delivered to customers with shorter lead times.

In addition to fuselage assembly, Cessna continues to develop the Citation Mustang's avionics and engine, in partnership with Garmin International and Pratt & Whitney Canada, respectively. The G1000 avionics suite is being refined through the use of an avionics hot bench and an autopilot flight test article. The hot bench was received on August 31, 2004. Initial testing for avionics operations and functionality began in September 2004. The Citation Mustang flight test article is assessing the Garmin G1000 autopilot and autopilot effected flight control systems.

Flight tests are also continuing on the PW615F engine. The engine made Cessna and Pratt & Whitney history by being the first P&W engine to make its first flight on a manufacturer's test bed. The engine was installed on a CitationJet, and has logged over 105 hours of flight time since its first flight on April 27, 2004. Ongoing tests include engine airstarts, performance and transient testing.

The Citation Mustang was announced at the 2002 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. It is Cessna's newest entry-level business jet and will offer customers the same quality, safety, value and support that have been the foundation of the Citation program for over 30 years. The airplane will be certified as a FAR Part 23 aircraft, with a cruise speed of 340 knots, and maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet.

The Citation Mustang's price in 2004 dollars is $2.395 million. Cessna has received over 200 firm, non-refundable orders for the airplane. Cessna anticipates first flight in 2005, with type certification and first customer delivery in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), 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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