WICHITA, Kan. (July 18, 2016) – Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, will publicly debut a cabin mockup and announce additional product details of its new single engine turboprop (SETP) aircraft at this year’s Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture, July 25-31. Joining the SETP will be an extensive static display of aircraft featuring nearly a dozen of the company’s commercial jet, turboprop and piston products.
“We’ve heard from so many customers who are eager to learn more about our new single engine turboprop, and we’re excited to reveal the name and branding as well as debut the cabin mockup for this exceptional aircraft,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “Textron Aviation’s continued investment and focus on innovation in products and services will be on display at this year’s exhibit, and we are ready to tap into the valuable feedback we get from our customers and the general aviation community at Oshkosh.”
Guiding customers through ownership
Textron Aviation continues to invest in solutions that simplify the ownership experience for customers through programs such as the recently launched ProOwnership, which provides customized solutions allowing aircraft owners to use Textron Aviation’s expertise in nearly all aspects of aircraft ownership and operation, which can include pilot services, management assistance in maintaining aircraft, finding or building hangars and sourcing insurance.
New at the Textron Aviation chalet this year will be a dedicated classroom where EAA attendees can learn more about aircraft ownership and stepping up to a turbine aircraft. The seminars will include a moderated panel discussion with industry experts covering topics including maintenance, insurance, training and more.
Turboprop strength and investment
Leading the turboprop display at Oshkosh will be the single engine turboprop aircraft cabin mockup, which will be accompanied by a mockup of GE’s new advanced turboprop engine. The SETP will be designed to have cruise speeds of up to 285 knots and full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds. With a planned range of 1,600 nautical miles at high-speed cruise with one pilot and four passengers, the aircraft will be able to fly from Los Angeles to Chicago or from New York to Miami. It will feature the widest and most comfortable cabin in its segment while offering best-in-class operating costs. The program is targeting first flight in 2018.
Also on display at Oshkosh will be the Fusion-equipped Beechcraft King Air 250 twin engine business turboprop and the Cessna Grand Caravan EX single-engine utility turboprop, fitted with a class-leading standard interior.
Light jet leadership
Two turbine aircraft that showcase the speed, simplicity and commonality across Cessna’s Citation light jet platform will be on display: the Citation M2 and Citation CJ3+. These aircraft, along with the Citation CJ4, are the current production models of the best-selling light jet series in the world – the Model 525. Since the first flight of the Model 525 CitationJet prototype 25 years ago, Cessna has delivered more than 1,800 Model 525 aircraft and certified eight platforms. “We’re closing in on 2,000 Model 525s delivered to customers around the globe; nearly three times that of our nearest competitor,” Shortt said. “We continue to innovate in this segment, driving significant investment in our products based on our customers’ evolving mission requirements.”
Leading piston products, future pilot development
Textron Aviation will have all six of its current production piston aircraft at its static display at Oshkosh, including Beechcraft’s twin-engine Baron G58 and single-engine Bonanza G36 and Cessna’s single-engine TTx, Turbo Stationair 206, Skylane 182T and Skyhawk 172. At Oshkosh the company plans to announce enhanced capabilities to the already versatile Stationair platform.
The company’s diverse piston products are known throughout the industry for their proven performance and exceptional mission capabilities, from the fastest single-engine piston aircraft in its class – the Cessna TTx – to the most popular training aircraft in the world – Cessna Skyhawk.
One of the piston aircraft on display will be Kent State University’s Top Hawk Cessna Skyhawk. Through the Top Hawk program, Cessna provides partner schools full use of a new, Cessna Skyhawk aircraft for the year. Partner schools received their aircraft in February and are using the aircraft for flight training, recruiting and promotional activities. In addition, one student from each school is participating in Textron Aviation’s internship program in cooperation with the Textron Aviation Employees’ Flying Club. The other Top Hawk partner schools this year are LeTourneau University, Purdue University and Westminster College.
