Wichita, KS - January 11, 2005 - Cessna Aircraft Company and the Experimental Aircraft Association today announced a landmark, five-year agreement launching EAA's "Partners in Flight," which provides financial support of EAA's youth-education and historical-preservation missions.

"Cessna's generous, inaugural commitment recognizes and further enhances the valuable work that EAA has done for decades and underscores Cessna's leadership role in the aviation community," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president. "By launching EAA Partners in Flight, Cessna is helping us form a prestigious group of corporate and individual contributors who share EAA's vision of personal aviation - including its cherished past, its enormous value today, and its promise for the future."

Under the agreement, Cessna will also serve as the presenting sponsor of the EAA Gathering of Eagles event, the association's preeminent fundraising function, which takes place during the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh convention. This year's EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," will take place July 25-31 on the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport and EAA's world headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

"Having built the airplanes in which skybound dreamers learned to fly, and kept on flying, for decades, Cessna is committed to promoting access to, and inspiring the pursuit of, personal flight," said Jack J. Pelton, Cessna's Chairman, President and CEO, as well as Chairman of EAA's Gathering of Eagles in 2005. "In that way, our corporate vision parallels that of EAA, an association built on the principle of helping people fulfill their dreams in aviation."

Poberezny noted that Cessna's commitment will advance EAA's youth-education and historical-preservation efforts in aviation, a longtime mission and outreach for both organizations.

That includes support for EAA Young Eagles, a program that during the past decade has become the world's largest youth aviation education program. Young Eagles has introduced more than 1.1 million youth to the joy of flight since 1992, with EAA's related educational efforts using aviation to energize young people to explore and achieve their potential.

In addition, Cessna's support for the EAA AirVenture Museum and EAA's numerous "living history" restoration and flight programs will help enthusiasts of all ages relive past aviation accomplishments that foster today's breakthroughs.

Other leading aviation companies and enthusiasts are invited to join Cessna as EAA Partners in Flight. For more information, contact EAA's Development Office at 800-236-1025 or at development@eaa.org. EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation, is an international association with 170,000 members and 1,000 local chapters. To join EAA or for more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org.

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.