Cessna Grand Caravan EX Earns Type Certification, Performance Tops Initial Projections

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the Grand Caravan EX has earned FAA Type Certification and has outperformed initial targets. Powered by the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, today's Grand Caravan EX boasts a 38 percent improvement in the rate of climb of the Grand Caravan, a figure which exceeds the original 20 percent improvement projection.

"When we started with this design, we knew we could push the performance envelope on the Grand Caravan EX and get it into service for our customers in 'high and hot' missions, but the performance we've realized through the certification process with the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine has truly exceeded our already aggressive performance targets," said Lannie O'Bannion, Cessna business leader for the Caravan. With the first deliveries of the airplane already underway, customers are experiencing the Grand Caravan EX benefits first-hand.

"Thanks to the ingenuity of our team and partners, today's announcement further demonstrates that the Cessna Grand Caravan EX can work or play in almost any theater, region or topography in the world," O'Bannion said. "This is the sport utility aircraft for practically any mission the customer might have in mind, business or recreation."

The EX is the latest example of Cessna's efforts to bring new products to customers. Six new or upgraded Cessna models, including the EX, will deliver during 2013 giving customers more choices for optimal range, performance and value.