Russian Flight Training Program Orders 12 Cessna Skyhawks

(Moscow, Russia, September 16, 2009) -- Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today at the Jet Expo business aviation exhibit an agreement with Saint-Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation for 12 new Cessna 172S Skyhawks to be used for flight training.

SPSUCA is a federal, state-owned higher education institution in St. Petersburg whose history dates back to 1909. At any given time, there are about 7,500 students enrolled from 25 countries studying all areas of aviation. The 12 Skyhawks are scheduled to be delivered by the end of this year and will be the first western-built aircraft to be used in the school's flight training program. The order was facilitated by Prop Transfer, Cessna's Sales Team Authorized Representative based in Moscow.


"This is a significant order for Cessna and for the school. This is our first government fleet sale in Russia, and we are confident the pilots at the university will benefit from learning in an aircraft equipped with the latest avionics technology and known for its safety, reliability and predictable flight characteristics. A fleet of brand new Skyhawks combined with the university's long history of education excellence will distinguish SPSUCA around the world," said Pana Poulios, Cessna's European sales manager for propeller aircraft.

The Skyhawk has become the best-selling, most-flown airplane in the world with more than 43,000 delivered.

Source : Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT)