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.

FMI: www.cessna.com