ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 20, 2014 – Led by the public debut of the Cessna Citation Latitude, Textron Aviation brings to the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention & Exhibition a full range of Beechcraft and Cessna business aircraft, the largest portfolio in the industry. This is the first appearance at NBAA for Textron Aviation, Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, which unites Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation.
“Beechcraft and Cessna have historically had a large presence at NBAA events so it’s no surprise that our combined display will be significant,” said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “With our entire lineup of commercial business jets and turboprops, our global sales force and our comprehensive Customer Service network, our exhibit is designed to show every customer the powerhouse partner they have in Textron Aviation.”
The highlight of the Textron Aviation exhibit is the debut of the Citation Latitude, Cessna’s newest midsize business jet. The jet was announced at NBAA in 2011 and is slated for entry into service in 2015. Aircraft performance confirmed during the Latitude flight test program, more than two-thirds complete, led the company to recently announce a 200 nm improvement in range at long range cruise speed (now 2,700 nm) and a nine percent reduction in take-off field length (now 3,668 feet).
Textron Aviation’s static display at Orlando Executive Airport features a fleet of 12 aircraft models, including three Beechcraft King Airs: a King Air C90GTx, a King Air 250 and a King Air 350i representing Wheels Up, a unique private-membership aviation company.
In addition to the Citation Latitude, Cessna models on exhibit are the Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprop; the Citation Mustang, M2 and CJ4 light jets; the Citation Sovereign+ and Citation XLS+ midsize jets; and two newly Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified aircraft: the Citation CJ3+, certified last month, and the Citation X+, the world’s fastest civil aircraft, certified in June.
Textron Aviation’s renowned Customer Service network is also highlighted at the static exhibit with the presence of one of the company’s Mobile Service Units, trucks equipped to perform a variety of maintenance or repair functions when customers prefer service at their own facility.
TRU Simulation + Training and TUG Technologies, also Textron companies, are displaying alongside Textron Aviation at this year’s NBAA. TRU Simulation + Training is displaying its CJ3 simulator at Textron Aviation’s booth inside the Orange County Convention Center. TUG Technologies is displaying its MR-10 TUG Tow Tractor at the Textron Aviation static display.
