Hartford, CT - October 4, 2007 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today at the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association (AOPA) Expo that Prop Transfer – Cessna's Authorized Sales Representative in Russia and Kazakhstan – has ordered six Grand Caravans.
The aircraft will be put in service by a Russian regional airline with service to seven destinations in Southern Russia. Initial deliveries are expected to begin at the end of 2008.
Based in Moscow, Prop Transfer became a sales representative for Cessna propeller aircraft and Bell Helicopter this year. It is a subsidiary of Jet Group.
“Our customers find that the performance capabilities of the Cessna Caravan are well suited for regional airlines serving Russia and it meets the Russian certification requirements for commercial operations,” said European Regional Sales Manager Pana Poulios. “We are receiving more and more inquiries from Russian regional airlines and I am very pleased with the outstanding growth we are experiencing in Caravan sales.”
Garmin's G1000 integrated avionics system including the GFC700 Autopilot will become standard on all Cessna's Caravan models: The 675, Grand Caravan and Super CargoMaster beginning with deliveries in March, 2008. The Garmin G1000 system designed for the Caravan includes three 10” displays – two primary flight displays (PFD) and one multi-function display (MFD).
The TKS ice protection system, which reduces ice accumulation by releasing glycol based fluid, is available as an option on cargo pod-equipped Caravans scheduled for delivery after March 2008.
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. Cessna has a current backlog of $11 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.
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. 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 Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.