Textron Aviation Inc. is the general aviation business unit of the conglomerate Textron that was formed in March 2014 following the acquisition of Beech Holdings which included the Beechcraft and Hawker Aircraft businesses. The new business unit includes the Textron-owned Cessna. Textron Aviation sells Beechcraft and Cessna-branded aircraft. While no longer selling new Hawker airplanes, Textron Aviation still supports the existing Hawker aircraft fleet through its service centers.[1][2]
 | |
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | CEO: Ronald Draper (2018) |
| Products | General aviation and military aircraft Brands: Beechcraft Cessna Hawker Pipistrel |
| Owner | Textron |
| Website | www |
The CEO of Cessna, Scott Ernest, was named as the first CEO of Textron Aviation.[1][2] In October 2018, Ronald Draper succeeded Ernest to become its second CEO.[3]
History
edit
Textron completed its purchase of Beech Holdings in March 2014 for approximately US$1.4 billion in cash. The parent company, Textron, financed the equity purchase and the repayment of Beechcraft's debt in cash, plus its issue of US$600 million in senior notes and a new US$500 million five-year term loan.[1][2]
Once the purchase was completed on March 14, 2014, Textron combined Beechcraft with its existing Cessna subsidiary to form Textron Aviation and brought all production under the new company name. The old companies became brands of the new company due to their historical significance and name recognition.[1][2]
In January 2017, the company announced lay-offs as a result of falling business jet and turboprop sales and company profits. Textron CEO Scott Donnelly indicated that customers are seeking pricing levels that the company is not willing to support.[4]
In the first quarter of 2017 company revenues were down US$121 million compared to 2016, as a result of lower sales of military and commercial turboprop aircraft. The company made a first quarter 2017 profit of US$36 million, down from US$73 million in the first quarter of 2016.[5]
Sales of the Cessna 400 had been slow, with only 23 of the model being sold in 2017. In February 2018, the company ceased production of the aircraft.[6]
In April 2022, Textron purchased Slovenian manufacturer Pipistrel to form a new division called Textron eAviation, for electric aircraft development.[7][8]
Products
editTextron Aviation's various lines of aircraft, including the Cessna single-engined piston and turboprop aircraft and jets, Beechcraft piston and turboprops are seen by the company as complementary to each other and not as competitors. Textron Aviation also produces the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer and AT-6 light attack variant. The company does not produce the Hawker jets, but provides parts support for them.[9]
By 2015, Textron Aviation companies have delivered nearly 251,000 aircraft, exceeding 100 million flight hours, in over 170 countries.[10] It provides aircraft parts and engineering support for them.
Aircraft
edit
| Model name | Original first flight | Number built | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beechcraft G36 Bonanza | 1945 | 17,000 | light general aviation aircraft, 6-seat |
| Beechcraft G58 Baron | 1960 | 6,691 | light general aviation aircraft, twin piston |
| Beechcraft King Air | 1963 | 3,100+ | light general aviation aircraft |
| Beechcraft Super King Air | 1972 | 3,550+ | light general aviation aircraft |
| Beechcraft T-6 Texan II/AT-6 | 2000 | 850 | military training aircraft/light attack aircraft |
| Cessna 172 | 1955 | 43,000 | light general aviation aircraft, 4-seat, 145-180 hp |
| Cessna 182 | 1956 | 23,237 | light general aviation aircraft, 4-seat, 227-235 hp |
| Cessna 206 | 1962 | 8,509 | light general aviation aircraft, 6 seat |
| Cessna 208 Caravan | 1982 | 2,500 | general aviation aircraft/commuter |
| Cessna 408 SkyCourier | 2020 | general aviation aircraft/cargo | |
| Cessna Citation Excel | 1996 | 575 | general aviation mid-size jet aircraft |
| Cessna CitationJet | 1991 | 400 | general aviation light jet aircraft |
| Cessna Citation Latitude | 2014 | general aviation mid-size jet aircraft | |
| Cessna Citation Longitude | 2016 | general aviation super mid-size jet aircraft | |
| Cessna Citation M2 | 2012 | general aviation light jet aircraft | |
| Cessna Citation Mustang | 2005 | 425 | general aviation very light jet aircraft |
| Cessna Citation Sovereign | 2002 | 300 | general aviation mid-size jet aircraft |
| Cessna Citation X | 1993 | 330 | general aviation long range mid-size jet aircraft |
| Cessna TTx | 2004 | light general aviation aircraft, 4-seat, low-wing |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Textron Completes Acquisition of Beechcraft". Textron. 14 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d Durden, Rick (14 March 2014). "Beech and Cessna to Become Textron Aviation". AVweb. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ^ Niles, Russ (14 October 2018). "Ernest Out At Textron Aviation". AVweb. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ Kauh, Elaine (25 January 2017). "Textron: Citation Production To Roll Back In 2017". AVweb. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ Grady, Mary (25 April 2017). "King Air Sales Down". AVweb. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ Niles, Russ (20 February 2018). "Textron Confirms TTx Discontinued". AVweb. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ O'Connor, Kate (17 March 2022). "Textron To Acquire Pipistrel". AVweb. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ Niles, Russ (20 April 2022). "Textron Completes $235 Million Purchase Of Pipistrel". AVweb. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ "Textron Aviation Defense Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine achieves Military Type Certification from the United States Air Force". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ "2015 Fact Book" (PDF). Textron Aviation. 2016.