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August 2, 2006

Cessna's Light Sport Aircraft and Lycoming Engines' New Grant Headline EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006

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Visitors at Oshkosh had the opportunity to see the new Thunderbolt Engine on display, Lycoming's new family of non-certified, factory engines.

Cessna Aircraft and Lycoming Engines have once again yielded strong customer interest and new business opportunities from products announced and/or showcased at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2006, held last week in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  

Cessna unveiled a proof of concept aircraft that will be used to help determine whether the company will enter into the popular Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) sector.  Over the next several months, the company will assess the market and the business case and plan to make a go/no go decision in the first quarter of next year.  The aircraft unveiling generated excitement among thousands of gathered aviation enthusiasts and professionals, and highlighted Textron’s commitment to innovative aerospace concepts. 

Partnership in Aviation Technology and Environmental Protection

Lycoming Engines announced a partnership with the Lindbergh Foundation and the creation of the Lindbergh-Lycoming Grants program.  The Lindbergh-Lycoming Grant will be given to an individual whose research project will advance aviation technology and balance it with the care and protection of our environment.  This partnership not only supports Lycoming’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement, but also Textron’s commitment to customers.

The 2006 Lindbergh-Lycoming Grand was awarded to Lesley A. Weitz (second from the right) of Texas A&M for her project on airports and noise pollution.

“As perhaps the aviation industry’s premier showcase for innovation, Oshkosh is a perfect venue for Textron to connect with aircraft enthusiasts – many of whom are our customers,” said Lewis B. Campbell, Textron’s Chairman, President and CEO. “Whether we are developing new products or awarding grants for research and educational purposes, these customers are at the center of all we do.”

Surprise Visits, New Orders, and Progress Toward Certification

Other activities and news from Textron at Oshkosh included:

• Cessna’s Next Generation Piston Proof-of-Concept aircraft paid a surprise visit to AirVenture 2006, making low passes before a crowd of thousands, providing the first glimpse of the airplane that has been quietly under development for several years.
  

• Lycoming announced the creation of their Advanced Technology Center (ATC), a center of excellence designed to generate a series of innovations such as roller tappets, electronic controls (FADEC), new Cylinder Technology, and at this Oshkosh, Lycoming displayed a proof of concept heavy fuel (diesel) engine.
  

• Thunderbolt Engines, Lycoming’s new family of non-certified, factory engines, custom built in the ATC, also were on display at Oshkosh. Customers include end-users in the experimental home-built, aerobatic and racing markets.
  

• Cessna announced the order of 29 172 Skyhawks from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  With the additional 29 Skyhawks on order, the all-Cessna Embry-Riddle fleet will now include 69 Skyhawks.
  

• The recipient of the 2006 Lindbergh-Lycoming Grant was announced and awarded to Lesley A. Weitz of Texas A&M University for her project entitled, “Reducing Fuel Inefficiencies and Noise Pollution from Aircraft by Exploring the Wider use of Continuous Descent Approaches at Busy Airports.”  In this research project, Ms. Weitz will explore the combination of cockpit control systems and Continuous Descent Approaches to safely increase airport capacity, while reducing engine noise in neighboring residential areas and decreasing fuel consumption and emissions from aircraft.
  

• With more than 1,400 total flight hours and more than 850 flights accumulated by the three Citation Mustangs flying in Cessna’s certification program, the Citation Mustang remains on track for Federal Aviation Administration certification later this year and European Aviation Safety Agency certification in second quarter 2007.
  

• Lycoming Engines announced the 2006-2007 aerobatic pilot sponsorships for Team Lycoming.  Lycoming Engines will be proudly supporting the following aerobatic pilots in the 2006-2007 season:  Kirby Chambliss, Matt Chapman, Michael Goulian, Jim LeRoy, Michael Mancuso, Sean Tucker, and Patty Wagstaff.
   

• The first 172 Skyhawk, N5000A, delivered in 1956 was on display as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the 172.  The aircraft’s fifteenth owner, Joe Nelson, indicated that there are 4,280.7 hours on the air frame, and the engine is on its fourth overhaul with 230 hours on the most recent one.

About the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Oshkosh Show

First held in 1953, the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Show is an international gathering of aviation enthusiasts. Displays at the event generally include homebuilt aircraft, vintage models, military aircraft, and prototype or experimental aircraft. Each day sees a different aerobatics show, showcase fly-bys, and a wide variety of lectures and presentations. More than 10,000 aircraft arrive for the show each year, making the Wittman Field FAA Control Tower at Oshkosh the busiest in the world for one week each year.

For more information on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006, visit http://www.airventure.org/.

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