Cessna's engineering team in Wichita, Kan., is building three airframes: prototype, first production and a test article for American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) compliance work. The aluminum aircraft will meet ASTM standard for F2245 light sport aircraft.

Meanwhile, the proof of concept aircraft continues to fly as visual flight rules (VFR) weather permits. After nearly one year of extensive flight evaluations and design modifications, the proof of concept aircraft first flew with the 100-hp Continental O-200 engine on Aug. 17, 2007, just weeks after the program's official launch at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis.

In recent testing, Cessna engineers have been evaluating engine cooling and propeller pitch settings, as well as overall flight characteristics that are targeted to be fun but forgiving, suiting the training and sport flying market for which the SkyCatcher is intended.

Basic design features of the aircraft are in place and Cessna is currently selecting vendors for the SkyCatcher's optional equipment.

The 162 will cruise at speeds up to 118 knots and will have a maximum range of 470 nautical miles. The aircraft will feature a Garmin G300 avionics system. Information is presented in a single, split-screen primary flight display (PFD) and multi-function display (MFD), or as two full-screen displays with an optional second screen. The aircraft will be capable of day and night, visual flight rules operations.

Preliminary design parameters for the SkyCatcher include a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds, a service ceiling of 15,500 feet, a useful load of 490 pounds and 24 gallons of usable fuel. It has a cabin width at shoulder height of 44.25 inches, equaling that of the much-larger, 6-place Cessna 206 Stationair. It features two top-hinged cabin entry doors and forward pivoting seats giving access to a 12.5 cubic-foot baggage compartment. The aircraft will have tricycle landing gear with a castering nose wheel and standard dual toe-actuated disc brakes.

A mockup of the Cessna SkyCatcher is on display from Jan. 17-20 at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla.

About Cessna Aircraft Company
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 $11.9 billion. 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 5,000 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 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 http://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, [b] the interruption of production at Textron facilities or Textron's customers or suppliers; [c] slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which Textron products are sold or supplied; [d] changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; and [e] changes in national or international government policies on the export and import of commercial products.