Wichita, KS - February 23, 2004 - Cessna's single engine piston aircraft sales in the Far East and Pacific region have been robust throughout 2003, and 2004 is expected to culminate with the delivery to China of two new Cessna Turbo Stationairs equipped with Garmin's new, fully-integrated, all-glass G1000 PFD and MFD avionics suite.
In August 2003, Cessna announced the sale of the first Turbo Stationair in China. The T206 Turbo Stationair was delivered in January 2004 to Beijing Sport Aviation School located in Beijing, China. Beijing Sport Aviation School will use the aircraft for commuter service, skydiving missions, and aerial surveys. The aircraft is also expected to be used in the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing.
In November 2004, Cessna is scheduled to deliver the first G1000 equipped Turbo Stationairs to A&P Light Aircraft Service Co. (China), Ltd., located in Henan Province, China. Both aircraft will be equipped with Garmin's G1000 all-glass integrated avionics system, pending successful certification of the Garmin G1000. They will be the first G1000 equipped Turbo Stationairs in the region. A&P Light Aircraft Service Co (China) Ltd is a joint venture found by Anyang Aviation Sports School and PTE. They are an authorized Cessna single engine sales team authorized representative, and Cessna service station.
According to Bill Harris, Cessna's Director of International Propeller Aircraft Sales, Cessna's Garmin G1000 equipped single engine piston aircraft are a perfect fit for the Asian Pacific training market. "Many of our recent aircraft sales have been in the training market. Looking ahead, the airlines in the region will need more pilots as the aviation infrastructure develops. The Cessna product line offers an excellent platform for these training programs. With the all-glass G1000 cockpit, introductory pilots can learn to fly using Cessna's Skylane and Stationairs equipped with the all-glass G1000 integrated avionics. They can easily transition from basic training to jet training with the Citation Mustang, which is also equipped with the Garmin G1000 glass-cockpit. The continuity with Cessna products provides a seamless transition from propeller aircraft to jet aircraft."
The G1000 avionics package is the most advanced flight deck package to fly on a single engine piston aircraft. It integrates all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, weather and engine sensor data on two large 10.4 inch glass, high resolution, XGA technology display units. The system will ease pilot workload and offer a new level of safety and situational awareness during all phases of flight. Some of the numerous features of the G1000 include:
- Highest display resolution in its class - 1024 x 768 (XGA) 10.4 inch displays providing high contrast, wide viewing angle on both the PFD and MFD in all ambient light conditions
- Solid State Attitude Heading & Reference System (AHRS)
- Dual integrated avionics systems with dual com radios, dual VOR/LOC/ILS receivers, and dual GPS receivers
- System based on Garmin's proven GNS 430/530 design architecture and hardware
- Mode S Transponder with Traffic Information System (TIS)
- WX-500 Stormscope displayed on PFD / MFD
- Next generation, high bandwidth data-link weather system including NEXRAD, METARs, TAFs, lightning, and up to 14 other weather services. The system provides reception at all altitudes throughout the Continental US on the XM Radio satellite network.
- Digital audio panel/intercom with ATC playback recording as standard
- XM Satellite Radio entertainment system as standard equipment
- Simplified line replaceable units (LRU) system architecture to minimize down time
The heart of the system is a solid state Attitude Heading & Reference System (AHRS) with the unique capability to align while moving, including in-flight dynamic restarts. The digital audio panel located between the PFD and MFD is matched with a dual integrated avionics system with 16-watt VHF communications radios, VOR/LOC/ILS receivers, as well as dual GPS receivers with future WAAS upgrade capability. This fully integrated system leverages Garmin's proven GNS 430/530 design architecture and hardware to provide pilots with identical operating logic on both PFD and MFD and eliminating confusing embedded menus.
The Skylane and Stationair will maintain their traditional and safe non-electric airspeed indicator, attitude gyro, altimeter and magnetic compass as stand by back up systems. These instruments will be located in the center of the newly designed instrument console immediately below the PFD and MFD.
Currently, Cessna's single engine piston aircraft product line includes the 172R Skyhawk, 172S Skyhawk SP, 182T Skylane, T182T Turbo Skylane, 206H Stationair and T206H Turbo Stationair. Cessna's single engine piston aircraft are recognized for their proven safety, solid reliability, low operating costs and a comprehensive worldwide service network.
Cessna is the world's leading manufacturer of single engine piston aircraft. Since restarting its single engine piston aircraft production and delivering its first new 172 in 1997, Cessna has delivered over 4,900 airplanes. In 2004, Cessna will celebrate the delivery of its 5,000th single engine piston airplane since the restart of production, and the delivery of the 150,000th single engine piston aircraft overall.
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.