“We are collecting performance data from several aerodynamic modifications, and are continuing to refine the aircraft design,” said Van Abel, project engineer for the NGP.

Cessna is also continuing to assess the business case for the NGP.

The NGP proof-of-concept (POC) made its debut at last year's AirVenture with a surprise fly-by during the show. The POC incorporates a higher percentage of composite materials than Cessna's traditional aircraft. It is likely that the final configuration would be a hybrid of composite and aluminum to optimize the available technology.

The interior design is being evaluated with a human factors mockup. The combination of developments from the proof-of-concept aircraft and the human factors mockup will define what the production plane would look like if the project were to move forward. No performance data or specifications will be released until Cessna has made a final decision on the NGP program. The company expects to make this decision by the end of this year.

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2006, Cessna delivered 1,239 aircraft, including 307 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $4.2 billion and a backlog of $8.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 189,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 5,000 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.

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