Independence, KS - August 20, 2008 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, delivered Citation Mustang unit 100 today during a ceremony at the company's manufacturing facility in southeast Kansas.
The commemorative Mustang is owned and operated by long-time customer Supap Puranitee, a businessman based in Thailand. Puranitee put a deposit down on the Mustang on the same day the entry level jet program was unveiled at the 2002 National Business Aviation Association meeting and convention.
"After seeing this fantastic looking airplane unveiled, I immediately placed a deposit. That same year I had the opportunity to take delivery of the 1,000th Grand Caravan, so I requested that I receive the 100th Mustang," Supap Puranitee said. "I enjoy a wonderful relationship with Cessna employees, and I consider them to be extended family. Already in 2008, I have received two new Cessna 172s that I am going to use to give private flying lessons."
The first retail Citation Mustang entered service in April 2007, and Cessna delivered 45 Mustangs in 2007. The company expects to deliver a total of 100 Mustangs by the end of 2008, and next year Cessna plans to reach a full production rate of about 150 aircraft per year.
"It's fitting that this special aircraft go to a loyal, international customer; about three of every five Mustangs are going to customers based outside the U.S.," said Roger Whyte, Cessna's senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. "Delivering the 100th Mustang is wonderful for everyone at Cessna who has worked on this program, but even more gratifying is the market response and positive customer feedback. Orders have surpassed 500 and are coming not only from owners/operators but flight schools and large-fleet air charter and air taxi operators."
The current fleet of Citation Mustangs has accumulated more than 17,000 flight hours, and the high-time aircraft has logged nearly 500 hours.
The six-place Citation Mustang has a top speed of 340 knots (630 kilometers per hour), a range of 1,150 nautical miles (2,130 kilometers) with NBAA IFR Reserves and a service ceiling of 41,000 feet (12,497 meters), enabling more efficient operations above most weather and commercial traffic. The aircraft features a Garmin G1000 system that includes two 10-inch primary flight displays, one 15-inch multi-function display and the integrated GFC700 dual-channel, fail passive, digital autopilot.
About Cessna Aircraft Company
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2007, Cessna delivered 1,272 aircraft, including 387 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5 billion. Cessna has a current backlog of $16 billion through June 30, 2008. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 190,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 5,200 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, 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.
Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including but not limited to the following: [a] changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; [b] the interruption of production at our facilities or at our suppliers' facilities; [c] the timing of new product launches and certifications of new aircraft products; [d] the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which our products are sold or supplied; [e] changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; [f] the launching of significant new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses; [g] changes in national or international government policies on the export and import of commercial products; and [h] bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers that could cause disruptions in our supply chain.