Textron Aviation

Textron Aviation Inc.
IndustryAerospace
Founded2014; 10 years ago (2014)
Headquarters
Wichita, Kansas
,
U.S.
Key people
CEO: Ronald Draper (2018)
ProductsGeneral aviation and military aircraft
Brands:
Beechcraft
Cessna
Hawker
Pipistrel
OwnerTextron
Websitewww.txtav.com

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]

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

Textron eViation Nexus Tiltrotor eVTOL model at EBACE 2023

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

Textron 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

Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Cessna 182 Skylane
Beechcraft Bonanza
Summary of aircraft built by Textron Aviation
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

  1. ^ a b c d "Textron Completes Acquisition of Beechcraft". Textron. 14 March 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Durden, Rick (14 March 2014). "Beech and Cessna to Become Textron Aviation". AVweb. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  3. ^ Niles, Russ (14 October 2018). "Ernest Out At Textron Aviation". AVweb. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. ^ Kauh, Elaine (25 January 2017). "Textron: Citation Production To Roll Back In 2017". AVweb. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  5. ^ Grady, Mary (25 April 2017). "King Air Sales Down". AVweb. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  6. ^ Niles, Russ (20 February 2018). "Textron Confirms TTx Discontinued". AVweb. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  7. ^ O'Connor, Kate (17 March 2022). "Textron To Acquire Pipistrel". AVweb. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Textron Aviation Defense Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine achieves Military Type Certification from the United States Air Force". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  10. ^ "2015 Fact Book" (PDF). Textron Aviation. 2016.