Yingling Aviation, CAV Aerospace, Cessna, And Garmin Are All On The Team

FedEx Express is getting set to upgrade its fleet of Cessna Caravans with the help of Wichita-based companies Cessna, Yingling Aviation, and CAV Aerospace, and Garmin is getting into the act as well.

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CAV Aerospace is partnering with Cessna in support of Yingling Aviation as that company enters into a contract with FedEx Express to upgrade their fleet of approximately 250 Cessna 208 Caravan cargo aircraft with CAV's TKS Ice Protection System. Yingling will install the Garmin G600 avionics suite on the aircraft as well. No details on contract value were released.

Yingling expects to install CAV's TKS Ice Protection System and Garmin G600 avionics suite at a ramp up rate of 50 aircraft per year, and has plans to add 15 to 30 employees specifically for the contract. Cessna and Garmin will provide technical support.

"I applaud the creativity and cooperation that these companies have demonstrated in collaborating on this important piece of business," said Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson. "It's especially gratifying because four Kansas-based firms have come together to create jobs and generate some very good news in one of our state's signature industries-aviation. Because it's a multi-year agreement that offers ongoing opportunities, it sets a tone for recovery, as well."

With more than 1,200 Caravan aircraft in operation today, CAV anticipates that this development will lead to after-market installation of deicing systems on other operator aircraft beyond FedEx Express. Modification on those aircraft will be performed at CAV Aerospace's North American headquarters in Salina.

We're starting to see some signs of turnaround in the retrofit business and certainly this program is a good opportunity to get it out to the world," said CAV Aerospace President Kevin Hawley.

With a company like FedEx on board in the initial stage retrofitting their fleet of aircraft, it is expected that other companies will follow on their heels. "FedEx does their homework very well," Hawley said. "That's a pretty strong statement right there. We believe it will put more people over the edge in retrofitting their Caravans. As things start solidifying a little bit more and we get more Caravans in- that means more people at work at CAV."

FMI: www.yinglingaviation.com