Textron Aviation has announced orders for over a dozen aircraft in China and a new support offering for Chinese operators of the Cessna Caravan 208.
Textron’s key order order is for a Citation XLS+ business jet from FT Business Jets. Shanghai-based FT Business Jets plans to offer charter services, and the aircraft will be delivered later this year by Cessna-AVIC Aircraft (Zhuhai), the American company’s joint venture with China Aviation Industry General Aviation (CAIGA).
The company also announced orders for 13 Skyhawk 172 piston aircraft to four separate flying schools and general aviation operators.
Cessna also said that its joint venture operation in Shijiazhuang has received Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) approval to maintain the Caravan 208.
Initial CAAC Part 145 maintenance approval allows the joint venture to perform maintenance procedures required by the manufacturer up to 100 flight hours.
“Providing company-direct maintenance is an important step for our joint venture to eventually provide complete life-cycle support for the growing fleet of Cessna Caravan aircraft in China,” says Jackie Chen, general manager, Cessna-AVIC (Shijiazhuang) Co. Ltd.
“Having the maintenance facility located with our Grand Caravan EX production facility provides the most efficient setup for customers in the region.”
Source: Flight International
