Category Archives: Cessna

Revenue, profit up at Cessna Aircraft; Textron posts fourth-quarter loss

Jan. 25, 20128:54 a.m.

Cessna Aircraft’s parent company, Textron, reported a loss of $19 million for the 2011 fourth quarter on revenue of $3.25 billion.

That compares to a profit of $60 million on $3.13 billion for the same time a year ago.

The report records an adjustment for golf mortgage receivables and a charge for organizational streamlining at Textron Systems.

At Cessna Aircraft, revenue increased $51 million to $1.01 billion in the quarter, reflecting the delivery of 67 Citation jets in the quarter, compared with 79 the same time a year ago. The company delivered a higher volume of used jets, single engine aircraft and Caravans.

Its profit increased $37 million to $60 million in the quarter. That’s primarily due to favorable performance, higher non-jet volume and a beneficial mix of jets, the company said.

Cessna’s backlog at the end of the quarter totaled $1.9 billion., down $275 million from the end of the third quarter in 2011.

 

 

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Cessna | Comments Off

Cessna’s Citation Ten prototype makes first flight

Jan. 18, 201211:11 a.m.

Cessna Aircraft’s Citation Ten prototype made its first flight Tuesday, a flight that included tests of stability and control, handling qualities, functional operations, engine operability and avionics.

The flight lasted more than two hours before landing at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport.

It took a significant amount of work by a large number of people to get to this milestone, Michael Voigt, Cessna’s engineering test pilot who flew the prototype, said in a statement.

“The aircraft performed exceptionally well and handling characteristics were excellent,” Voigt said. “All systems functioned as expected.”

The plane is on track for certification in mid-2013 with first deliveries to follow in the second half of the year.

The Ten is an updated Citation X mid-size business jet. The updates will allow it to climb to altitude faster and fly farther, the company said.

The company announced the Citation Ten at the 2010 National Business Aviation Association’s convention and exhibition.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Cessna, general aviation | Comments Off

Pompeo to announce initative to boost city’s general aviation industry

Jan. 10, 20123:23 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo will host a news conference this afternoon to announce an initiative to boost the general aviation industry in Kansas.

The initiative is to generate support for the industry, Pompeo said in a statement. He will be joined by the city’s aviation leaders.

The news conference is slated for 1 p.m. at the Kansas Aviation Museum.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Beechcraft Corp., Bombardier Learjet, Cessna, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Wichita Aero Club summit to feature industry leaders

Dec. 6, 20117:08 a.m.

The Wichita Aero Club will host its third annual summit at a luncheon Wednesday, an event that brings together Wichita’s aviation leaders for a panel discussion of the industry.

Panel participants include John O’Leary, with Airbus North America Engineering, Ralph Acs, of Bombardier Learjet, Bill Boisture at Hawker Beechcraft, Jeff Turner, with Spirit AeroSystems, and Mark Paolucci, with Cessna Aircraft.

Fred George, senior editor of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine, will moderate.

A video of the program will be posted to the Wichita Aero Club’s website after the discussion.

Organizers expect about 300 attendees, one of the organization’s largest events.

“The On-Air Summit has traditionally been a huge draw, and this year, it appears, will be no exception,” Dave Franson, executive director, said in a statement. “The chance to hear from the leaders of our major aerospace manufacturers, all in one place and at the same time, obviously creates interest.”

The summit will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Wichita Airport Hilton ballroom. Cost is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers. The summit is sponsored by Yingling Aviation and Air Capital Insurance of Wichita.

For information or reservations, call 316-641-5962 or go to www.wichitaaeroclub.org.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Airbus, aircraft manufacturers, Beechcraft Corp., Bombardier Learjet, Cessna, general aviation, Spirit AeroSystems | Comments Off

Cessna exhibit to open at Kansas Aviation Museum

Nov. 23, 201111:37 a.m.

The Kansas Aviation Museum is preparing to open an exhibit featuring the Cessna Aircraft Co.

The exhibit will present information about Clyde Cessna and the company bearing his name, museum officials said. It will feature a timeline of historic, Cessna aircraft and scale reproductions of the planes.

Rotating exhibits will showcase various aspects of Cessna’s history and the memorabilia that comprises a large portion of the museum’s collection.

An open house and dedication will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. The event is free and open to the public. The event also includes full access to the rest of  the museum, located at 3350 George Washington Blvd.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, Cessna, Kansas Aviation Museum | Comments Off

Bell Helicopter plans Fort Worth expansion

Nov. 2, 20113:27 p.m.

Cessna Aircraft’s sister company, Bell Helicopter, plans to build a new office building and training academy in east Fort Worth and relocate hundreds of employees who now work at Alliance Airport and other area locations, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Bell officials say they will spend around $240 million on the project. It’s part of a larger $1 billion, four-year plan to improve the company’s public face, strengthen its product lineup and install modern machines and technologies for the future.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, Cessna | Comments Off

Cessna hires vp of supply chain

Nov. 1, 20112:41 p.m.

Cessna Aircraft has hired Justin Salmans as vice president of supply chain, the company told employees today. He assumes the position in mid-November.

Salmans comes from Spirit AeroSystems, where he serves as senior manager of sourcing strategies.

At Cessna, he will report to Eric Cardinali, senior vice president of integrated supply chain.

Salmans replaces Ryan Doerksen in that position. Doerksen was the interim head of Cessna’s supply chain after Don Beverlin took another position within the company.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, Cessna | Comments Off

New Citation Latitude creating excitement in Las Vegas

Oct. 10, 20111:35 p.m.

Kathy May has been an assembler at Cessna Aircraft for 14 years. This morning, May shared the podium with Cessna CEO Scott Ernest at the company’s booth at NBAA in Las Vegas to help with the announcement of the new Citation Latitude.

It was May’s first time to attend the business jet show, and she bubbled with excitement.

Back at home, the new airplane will bring energy on the shop floor, she said after the announcement.

“It means an exciting future,” May said. “I’m very excited as to the production of this and where our company is going as a whole.”

A mock-up of the mid-size jet is on display at the booth. Already, it’s getting a lot of attention with a line to get inside.

Inside the mock-up, several commented about how they could actually stand up inside the plane, which will have the largest cockpit of any Cessna Citation.

“I’m 6-foot tall,” said one visitor. And the ceiling barely brushes the top of his head, he said.

“I can stand up,” said another.

With the announcement, the company now can begin to take orders of the $14.9 million eight-passenger jet. The company is running an introductory price of $13.9 million.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aviation industry, Cessna | Comments Off

Sunday at NBAA

Oct. 9, 20119:44 a.m.

LAS VEGAS: As Las Vegas awakens to a glorious morning, media day at the National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention is about to begin.

The day kicks off with a press conference by Hawker Beechcraft, followed by Cessna Aircraft, Bombardier, Gulfstream, Embraer and others.

In the meantime, exhibitors will finish setting up their exhibits on the floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center to prepare for tomorrow’s open.

Watch this blog, kansas.com and follow me on twitter @mmcmillin for news from the show.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, aviation industry, Aviation industry suppliers, Beechcraft Corp., Bombardier Learjet, Cessna, general aviation | Comments Off

Cessna vice president of corporate communications resigns

Aug. 12, 201111:08 a.m.

Bob Stangarone, Cessna Aircraft’s vice president of communications for the past six years, has resigned.

In an e-mail to friends and colleagues, Stangarone said he decided it was time to move on, but hailed Cessna as a “great company with a rich history.”

“I am especially grateful to my mentor and friend, and a great leader, Jack Pelton, and his wonderful wife Rose, for giving me this fantastic opportunity with Cessna,” Stangarone said in the e-mail.

His immediate plans are to move back to the East Coast to be near his family.

Stangarone was instrumental in the formation of the Wichita Aero Club and has been a leader in the general aviation industry.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, Cessna, general aviation | Comments Off