Textron Brings Cessna, Beechcraft Jets & Turboprops To Singapore Airshow
Aviation companies from around the world are showing off their wares this week in the Asia Pacific region at the 2018 Singapore Airshow, and Textron Aviation is no exception. In addition to bringing its Beechcraft King Air 350i and Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprops, Textron is to have the Cessna Citation Latitude, Citation CJ4, and Citation Sovereign+ jets on hand at the Singapore event, which runs Feb. 6-11. Further, the company’s super midsize Cessna Citation Longitude business jet will be making its debut in the region. Textron reports it has roughly 1,500 aircraft total operating in the region, including 1,000 turboprops. In addition to these aircraft, the company has Cessna Caravan; Beechcraft 300s, 200s, and 90s; and numerous other aircraft for sale.
Serving The Asia-Pacific Region
Noting that the Asia-Pacific region represents one of Textron Aviation’s largest customer bases, Scott Ernest, Textron president and CEO, said Textron is meeting the unique special mission needs that exist in the Asia Pacific area with the company various aircraft, including with additions in development concerning the Citation Longitude, Cessna Denali, and Cessna SkyCourier.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Textron Aviation supports its customers via its Singapore Service Center, which houses Textron’s parts distribution hub for the region as well as the company’s field service engineers. Textron cites a factory-direct network that numbers 3,000 employees providing direct customer access to maintenance, inspections, repairs, avionics upgrades, equipment installments, refurbishments, and other services.
Aircraft On Display
Where its aircraft are concerned, Textron touts the 12-passenger super-midsize Longitude business jet as providing the quietest cabin in its class while also offering such luxury touches as fully berthable seats, an in-flight-accessible walk-in baggage compartment, and the “lowest cabin altitude in its category” of 5,950 feet (1,814 meters). Sporting Honeywell HTF7700L engines, the Longitude features a high-speed range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 kilometers) with four passengers onboard, tops at a 476 KTAS (548 mph, 882 km/h) speed, supports a full fuel payload of 1,600 pounds (726 kilograms), and uses fully integrated auto-throttles and the LinxUs onboard diagnostic system.
Entering service in the Asia-Pacific region two years ago, the Cessna Citation Latitude offers a 2,700-nautical mile (5,000-kilometer) range with four passengers and seats up to nine passengers. The aircraft has a top 446 KTAS (319 mph, 513 km/h) cruise speed, powers on two Pratt & Whitney PW306D1 FADEC-controlled turbofan engines, integrates Garmin G5000 avionics, and supports a maximum 2,544-pound (1,154-kilogram) payload.
Elsewhere, the Cessna Citation Sovereign+’s appearance at the Singapore Airshow will mark the company first display that aircraft from its Pre-owned Direct inventory. Along with OEM support, the Pre-owned Direct inventory provides customers access to a single point of contact for all details concerning aircraft purchases and ownership, including financial and aftermarket solutions, aircraft upgrades, trade-ins, and the company’s Market Assist program that enables customers to access Textron’s global sales team to help sell their aircraft.
Future Visitors
Moving forward, Textron points to the upcoming single-engine Cessna Denali and Cessna SkyCourier turboprops as adding value to the APAC market, including with their “rugged capabilities designed to support both commercial and special missions in the region.” Seating up to 11 passengers, the pressurized Denali is expected to receive certification next year and begin deliveries in 2020. The aircraft will offer a maximum 285 KTAS (322 mph, 519 km/h) cruise speed and 1,600-nautical mile (2,963-kilometer) range with four passengers.
The SkyCourier, meanwhile, features a clean-sheet design with high wings and twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC engines. Also expected to e