Aero-Club Hispano Suiza, located in Paris, recently ordered 15 SkyCatchers and two Skylanes. The SkyCatchers will replace its existing fleet of Cessna Model 150s as trainers for its flight school. The Skylanes will expand its fleet and be used as advanced IFR training aircraft to introduce the Garmin G1000 all-glass cockpit to its members.

“Decades of proven reliability, an excellent safety record and efficient, economical operations are the reasons Aero-Club chose to enter the new generation with an all-Cessna training fleet using the Cessna SkyCatcher,” said Pana Poulios, Cessna’s sales manager of European propeller sales.

“Aero-Club students and members have enjoyed the Cessna 150 over the years; however, they are very excited to begin teaching students to fly in the modern and economical new SkyCatcher,” Poulios said.

Cessna also announced several other orders:

• Avignon Parachute Club located in southern France recently selected the Cessna Grand Caravan to replace the club’s two Pilatus Porters. The Caravan is expected to enter operations by mid-2009.
• An unnamed French customer has ordered five 162 SkyCatchers
• Cessna has taken its first 400 Corvalis TT orders from unnamed French customers, following closely behind last month’s certification by European authorities.

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Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2008, Cessna delivered 1,301 aircraft, including 467 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5.662 billion. Cessna has a backlog of $14.5 billion as of December 31, 2008. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 5,700 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.

Textron Inc. is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 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, 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.

Cessna, as it did two years ago, has teamed with its authorized sales representatives in Germany including Atlas Air Service, Air Alliance, AIRplus Maintenance and Roeder Praezision to present its largest aircraft line-up that includes single-engine pistons up to some of the larger Citation business jets. In addition to its German sales and service partners, a number of Cessna sales affiliates from companies around Europe will join Cessna at its display for customer service.

“Germany has always been one of our largest and most important markets outside the United States and this show has become one of Europe’s best,” said Trevor Esling, Cessna vice president, International Citation Sales.

Cessna will be exhibiting a full line of single-engine piston aircraft including the Cessna 182 Skylane, the 206 Stationair, and Cessna’s highest-performance single, the 400 Corvalis TT, certified last month for sale in Europe. Cessna is also featuring its popular Grand Caravan single-engine turboprop at its indoor exhibit space, along with the Citation Mustang entry-level business jet.

“Coming in on the heels of EASA certification for the 400 Corvalis TT, we are very excited about exhibiting at AERO Friedrichshafen and being able to speak with European prospects who are now able to take immediate delivery of the impressive new Corvalis TT, the fastest fixed-gear single-engine piston airplane produced today,” said John Doman, Cessna vice president, Worldwide Propeller Aircraft Sales.

Other Cessna aircraft featured at partner exhibits include the Citation XLS+, Cessna’s most popular business jet, along with the Citation CJ3, CJ2 and CJ1 aircraft.

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Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2008, Cessna delivered 1,301 aircraft, including 467 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5.662 billion. Cessna has a backlog of $14.5 billion as of December 31, 2008. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 5,700 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.

Textron Inc. is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 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, 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.

“The need for a modern, cost-effective two-seat trainer aircraft has never been greater, and we believe we are well positioned to meet that need,” said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. “The SkyCatcher program is an important part of our strategy,” he added.

Cessna has produced more than 192,000 aircraft over the past 82 years, including the classic 150/152 and 172 models which have been the backbone of flight training for decades.

In the most recent incident on March 19, Pelton said the aircraft was undergoing a very aggressive spin test regime – power on and cross-controlled – when it entered a spin that was not immediately recoverable. This spin test was one of more than 500 flown to date using various combinations of center-of-gravity positions, power settings, flap settings and control inputs. The pilot deployed the airframe parachute in accordance with the flight test procedure and emerged from the aircraft unhurt after it touched down.

Last September, an earlier test aircraft was destroyed when the pilot parachuted to safety after being unable to recover during aggressive spin testing.

“We test all our aircraft well beyond the limits of what is expected in normal operation. By the time a Cessna aircraft enters service we have the highest degree of confidence in the design, flight characteristics, manufacture and quality of the aircraft,” Pelton said, adding that company engineers have obtained valuable data on the crashworthiness of the aircraft and the operation of the Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) airframe parachute as a result of the two incidents. The BRS is offered as an option on the SkyCatcher.

“We are making every effort to minimize the impact on deliveries to our customers,” he said.

The SkyCatcher is a two-seat Light Sport Aircraft powered by a 100 horsepower Continental O-200 engine. The program was launched in 2007.

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Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2008, Cessna delivered 1,301 aircraft, including 467 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5.662 billion. Cessna has a backlog of $14.5 billion as of December 31, 2008. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 5,700 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.

Textron Inc. is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 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, 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: changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; the interruption of production at our facilities or at our suppliers’ facilities; the timing of new product launches and certifications of new aircraft products; the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which our products are sold or supplied; changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; the launching of significant new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses; changes in national or international government policies on the export and import of commercial products; and bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers that could cause disruptions in our supply chain.

“This is a significant milestone for Cessna, opening a market that has been clamoring for a new, high-performance aircraft like the 400 Corvalis TT,” said John Doman, vice president, Worldwide Propeller Aircraft Sales. “This aircraft is perfectly suited for Europe, both as a business aircraft with comfortable seating for four people and their luggage, and for personal use with a range of some 1,250 nautical miles (2,315 km), allowing fast, convenient trips to anywhere in Europe in a matter of hours.”

The 400 Corvalis TT is the world’s fastest fixed-gear single-engine piston aircraft with a top speed of 235 knots (435 km/hr) and a service ceiling of 25,000 feet (6,620 m).

The 400 Corvalis TT is produced by Cessna at its facility in Bend, Ore., formerly the Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Co. Cessna acquired certain assets of the company in December 2007. Since then, in addition to making a number of significant improvements to the aircraft and its global product support, Cessna recently renamed the Cessna 400 and 350 as the 400 Corvalis TT (twin turbo) and the 350 Corvalis.

###

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2008, Cessna delivered 1,301 aircraft, including 467 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5.662 billion. Cessna has a backlog of $14.5 billion as of December 31, 2008. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 5,700 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.

Textron Inc. is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 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, 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: changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; the interruption of production at our facilities or at our suppliers’ facilities; the timing of new product launches and certifications of new aircraft products; the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which our products are sold or supplied; changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; the launching of significant new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses; changes in national or international government policies on the export and import of commercial products; and bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers that could cause disruptions in our supply chain.