From The Smallest Skyhawk, To The Largest (Proposed)
Bizjet
Cessna Aircraft Company tells ANN
the planemaker is marking its return to the 47th International
Paris Air Show with seven aircraft on static display and a
full-scale cabin mockup of the company's newest large-cabin,
long-range business jet concept.
The aircraft on static display are the Citation CJ2+, Citation
Encore+, Citation XLS, and Citation Sovereign business jets, a
Grand Caravan, a 206 Stationair, and a 172 Skyhawk single engine
piston aircraft.
"Business aircraft are coming into their own -- around the world
-- as efficient transportation tools for large and small businesses
alike, and this is certainly reflected in the strength of our
orders from outside the US," said Cessna Chairman, President and
CEO Jack Pelton. "I think the resurgence of the business jet
display at Le Bourget is the logical response to the dramatic
growth of the worldwide market for business aircraft in the last
few years."
"There is so much synergy now with other companies under the
Textron corporate banner -- companies like Bell Helicopter and
Textron Systems -- that we felt it made sense for us to return as
an exhibitor to the Paris Air Show," said Pelton. "We are
particularly excited to have our large cabin mockup as the
highlight of our exhibit."
As ANN reported, Cessna
announced it was looking at a larger Citation business jet model at
last year's annual National Business Aviation Association meeting
in the United States. Since then, the company has been gauging
market demand for the new aircraft as well as conducting
preliminary design work.
Cessna says the large cabin business jet concept would set a new
standard for performance, cabin comfort, passenger amenities and
environmental friendliness. The mockup on display at the Paris Air
Show features seating for nine passengers, a large galley and
toilet, and a representative flight deck. Specific features such as
avionics and engine suppliers and final interior arrangements will
not be defined unless Cessna launches the program.
"We are working step by step through Cessna's proven new product
evaluation and development process. The results of initial wind
tunnel testing have fully met our expectations and we're very
pleased with the preliminary design work," said Cessna Senior Vice
President, Sales & Marketing Roger Whyte. "We have received
extremely positive reaction to the performance parameters as well
the cabin design of the proposed aircraft from our customer base.
There are still a number of process gates to go through before we
will be in a position to make a final decision on whether to launch
the aircraft."
Cessna is considering the LCC as an addition to its extensive
business jet product range, giving customers needing long range and
large cabin volume an option above the Citation Sovereign or
Citation X.
The Paris Air Show kicks off June 18, and runs through June
24.