Finalist: Cessna Aircraft
Location Wichita, Kansas, USA
Achievement Spearheading the revitalisation of general aviation in the USA and resuming piston-single production. When the first 172 Skyhawk was rolled out of Cessna's new piston singles plant in Kansas on 6 November, 1996, it marked a milestone in the company's long-running campaign to breathe fresh life in to US general aviation (GA).
In the early 1980s, the escalating cost of product-liability litigation had all but driven the industry out of existence and Cessna itself was finally forced to suspend production of piston-engined aircraft in 1986. Chairman Russ Meyer, however, helped lead the fight to change US liability laws, which finally resulted in the GA Revitalization Act of 1994.
The company then put its words into action with plans to restart production of the Skyhawk and 182 Skylane. Within a year, Cessna was breaking ground at the new Independence plant in Kansas and delivery of the first Skyhawk took place at the start of this year.
A second prong of the strategy has been to support industry efforts to increase the number of student pilots starts, with nearly 400 Cessna Pilot Centers established and more still joining.
The Awards judges commend Cessna for its bravery and vision in relaunching singles production and helping to revive GA flying.
Source: Flight International
