FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (April 15, 2015) – Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced at AERO Friedrichshafen in Germany that its Grand Caravan EX has earned certification for a 14-place configuration from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This approval by EASA allows the newest model of the Grand Caravan to offer higher density seating and greater operational capability for operators in European countries.
“The approval by EASA to certify the 14-place Grand Caravan EX is a win for both Cessna and our customers, as it will allow many new uses for the aircraft in Europe,” said Christi Tannahill, senior vice president, Turboprop Aircraft and Interior Design. “Regulatory agencies around the world look to EASA as a leading aviation approval authority and often follow suit with certifications, so this will open up new markets for the 14-place configuration.”
The EASA countries join a list of nearly 10 other nations that recognize a 14-place seating configuration. Textron Aviation is showcasing a Grand Caravan EX at its static display this week at Friedrichshafen Airport.
About the Cessna Caravan
Cessna currently offers four Caravan models: the Caravan, the Grand Caravan EX, the Caravan Amphibian and the Grand Caravan EX Amphibian. The Grand Caravan EX features a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine rated at 867 horsepower to give the upgraded model a 38 percent improvement over the rate of climb of the Grand Caravan, a 350-foot reduction in takeoff roll and a 10-12 knot cruise speed improvement on average.
Cessna expects to deliver its 2,500th Caravan in 2015, and the fleet is now certified in 100 countries with more than 13 million flight hours amassed since the aircraft was introduced in 1985. Caravans fulfill roles for multiple missions, ranging from flight training to recreation, commuter airlines to VIP transport, and cargo carriers to humanitarian missions. For more information about the four Caravan models currently available and their capabilities, go to Cessna.txtav.com/Caravan.
Image: 14-place Grand Caravan EX top view
Image: Grand Caravan EX aerial
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About Textron Aviation Inc.
Textron Aviation Inc. 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. The Textron Aviation companies include Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation, bringing together decades of unmatched experience in designing, building and supporting airplanes. It provides the most versatile and comprehensive general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principal 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 txtav.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.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements 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 statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements
