Cessna Skyhawk sees increased demand in China with orders for 52 aircraft

Press Release



SHANGHAI (April 17, 2018) – Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced at ABACE 2018 (Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition) that it has received orders for 52 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft. All deliveries are expected to be completed within 2018.



“China's 13th Five-Year Plan brings out favorable policies to boost general aviation development, leading to unprecedented opportunities in the aviation training market. In China, the aviation market and pilot training are growing quickly and steadily, resulting in greater demand for high-quality training aircraft,” said Kevin Wu, Vice President of International Sales, Greater China and Mongolia. “Among Textron Aviation’s highly-recognized training products, the Cessna Skyhawk is known for its reliability, flexibility and economic efficiency, and it continues to be a leader in pilot training around the world.”

New orders include:
  • Hairuo General Aviation Co., Ltd. ordered 39 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft. “The world-renowned Cessna Skyhawk is the ideal aircraft for pilot training,” said Maosen Chen, President of Hairuo General Aviation Co., Ltd. “Many of these newly purchased Cessna Skyhawks are for firm orders from end-customers ranging from aviation academies, aviation clubs, general aviation operators, newly established general aviation enterprises and flight schools. A few will join our own fleet to meet the growing needs for our aviation training business. Along with Textron Aviation, we are committed to contributing to the development of the general aviation industry in China by improving its training, operations, sales and service system.”
  • Hubei Sky-Blue International Aviation Academy Co., Ltd ordered 13 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft. “Since its establishment in 2007, Hubei Sky- Blue International Aviation Academy Co., Ltd has acquired a fleet of Cessna Skyhawks,” said Song Jin, President of Hubei Sky-Blue International Aviation Academy Co., Ltd. “Authorized by Textron Aviation as a Sales Representative and a Service Facility for piston aircraft in China in 2015, Hubei Sky-Blue International Aviation Academy Co. Ltd. has been constantly developing the flight training market not only to meet the company’s growth but also to support the general aviation industry in China. The company has signed purchase agreements with end-users, and there are solid prospects for the 13 units of Cessna Skyhawk aircraft to be purchased in 2018. In the next five years the company plans to purchase an additional 50 Cessna Skyhawks and some business jets.” 



Both Hairuo General Aviation Co., Ltd. and Hubei Sky-Blue International Aviation Academy Co., Ltd. are authorized sales representatives and authorized service facilities for Cessna piston aircraft in China. Textron Aviation will continue to work with these two companies and other pilot training institutions dedicated to filling the gaps in China’s flight training market and propelling the growth of civil aviation.



About Cessna Skyhawk

The Skyhawk platform is the world standard for pilot training and is renowned for offering the best combination of modern features, including the leading Garmin G1000 NXi avionics system with wireless connectivity, a standard Angle-of-Attack display system and proven dependability. The aircraft’s high-wing design enables superior flying characteristics ideally suited for pilot training. More Skyhawks have been delivered to customers around the world than any other type of aircraft, with more than 44,000 put into service.

Comunicado de Ciudad Real International Airport

El presidente de Ciudad Real International Airport (CRIA), Rafael Gómez Arribas, también ha dado lectura al siguiente comunicado:

Pese al esfuerzo titánico desarrollado durante más de dos años y con una inversión cercana a los 7 millones de euros destinados a depurar jurídicamente los bienes incorporados a la compraventa, restituir las licencias y permisos de navegación, poner a punto la infraestructura y asumir los gastos de conservación y mantenimiento del aeropuerto, CRIA (Ciudad Real International Airport) no ha conseguido reunir los suficientes apoyos financieros para hacerse con el control del Aeropuerto de Ciudad Real. Continuar leyendo https://airciudadreal.blogspot.com.es/2018/04/ciudad-real-international-airport.html

Bye Aerospace announces succesful maiden flight of its electric Sun Flyer 2 aircraft



Press Release




Bye Aerospace announced the prototype Sun Flyer 2 aircraft had its first flight April 10.

The prototype aircraft flight test program, which began in late March, is being conducted at Centennial Airport (KAPA), south of Denver, Colorado, and are now progressing to increased speed, altitude and endurance capabilities.

George Bye, Founder and CEO of Bye Aerospace, thanked and congratulated the Bye Aerospace team for the successful transition to the next test phase. “We are excited about the future and the potential the Sun Flyer family of aircraft has to revolutionize general aviation, providing improved affordability and accessibility,” Bye said. “Lower operating costs are key to solving the student pilot drop-out rate, which is curtailing the successful attainment of badly needed airline pilots. The Sun Flyer 2’s $3 hourly operating costs are 10 times lower than traditional piston-engine flight trainers, with no carbon emissions and significantly reduced noise.”

EP Systems provided the energy storage system for the Sun Flyer 2 prototype aircraft being flight tested, including battery modules (packs), battery management unit and power distribution unit. The battery cells are LG Chem “MJ1” lithium-ion battery cells with a 260 Wh/kg energy density. Bye Aerospace will soon announce who its electric motor partner will be for the family of FAA-certified Sun Flyer aircraft.

Charlie Johnson, Bye Aerospace President, said he was extremely pleased to launch the test flight phase for the Sun Flyer 2 program. “We had a fantastic first flight,” he said.

The Sun Flyer family of aircraft, including the Sun Flyer 2 and the 4-seat “Sun Flyer 4,” will be the first FAA-certified, U.S.-sponsored, practical, all-electric airplanes to serve the flight training and general aviation markets.



About Bye Aerospace, Inc.

Bye Aerospace is an innovator of sophisticated aerospace technology focused on applying advances in energy and design efficiencies to aerospace applications. The company is developing a family of advanced, high-altitude, long-endurance solar-electric unmanned aerial vehicles called “StratoAirNet.” For more information, go to www.ByeAerospace.com and www.GeorgeBye.com.