SHANGHAI, China, April 14, 2014 – Beechcraft Corporation and Cessna Aircraft Company, part of the Textron Aviation segment of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), said today at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) in Shanghai, China, that the companies’ product range is the widest among general aviation manufacturers and is well suited for the growing GA sector in China and in other parts of the Asia Pacific region.
“As more customers in the region begin to research aircraft and match the products to their missions, we’re confident the long history of innovation from our companies and the proven quality of the Beechcraft and Cessna brands will make our aircraft popular choices,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “There’s no other OEM at ABACE with a broader line of aircraft solutions for this growing general aviation marketplace, and we’re proudly showcasing our unique proposition to one of the most exciting aviation sectors in the world.”
From pistons to turboprops to business jets, Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker products have for years been in service on mainland China and throughout the region. These aircraft play an array of roles, for example personal transportation, charter operations, cargo hauling, pilot training and special missions such as aerial survey, weather modification and flight inspection.
“Beyond participation at events like ABACE and selling aircraft to operators in China and the greater Asia Pacific, we have been an active part of this dynamic region for many decades,” Shortt said. “We have business development personnel and field service reps in-country, we have invested in service and parts facilities, and we’ve developed in-country partnerships for manufacturing, service and sales.”
Beechcraft and Cessna are located in adjoining chalets at this year’s ABACE. Aircraft on static display for Beechcraft include the Bonanza G36 single-engine piston, the Baron G58 twin-engine piston, the flagship of the King Air family of twin-engine turboprops, the Beechcraft King Air 350i, along with the King Air C90GTx and Special Mission King Air 350ER. Cessna aircraft on exhibit include the Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprop, the Citation XLS+ light midsize business jet and Citation Sovereign+ midsize business jet.
This marks the ABACE debut for Beechcraft’s piston-engine products, which both received certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in 2010. The Bonanza is the longest continuously produced aircraft in history, with more than 18,000 units delivered since 1947. More than 6,800 twin-engine Barons have been produced since its introduction in 1960. Also debuting at the show is Cessna’s upgraded mid-size jet, the Citation Sovereign+.
“Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft are ideal for the type of flying done in the region, offering the performance and reliability operators want along with operating efficiencies for trips to and from the most important business hubs in Asia,” Shortt said. “As the infrastructure in China continues to develop, more business leaders and entrepreneurs are learning that seeing their clients and operations on a regular basis is possible by owning business aircraft.”
Media Contact:
Stephanie Harder
+1.316.640.2872
sharder@txtav.com
textronaviation.com
About Textron Aviation
Textron Aviation is the leading general aviation authority and home to the iconic Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. Textron Aviation includes the businesses of Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation, bringing together decades of unmatched experience in designing, building and supporting aircraft. It provides the most versatile and comprehensive general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principle lines of business: business jets, general aviation and special mission turboprop aircraft, high performance piston aircraft, military trainer and defense aircraft, and a complete global customer service organization. Its broad range of products include such best-selling aircraft as Citation and Hawker business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops and T-6 military trainer aircraft, all of which are backed by the industry’s largest global service network. For more information, visit textronaviation.com.
About Textron Inc
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, 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, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.
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