Cessna brings new configured Skyhawk to EAA

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has a new Skyhawk with the Crew/Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) training seat on display at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual week-long conference - AirVenture 2009.

The CRM training seat is a single, forward facing seat positioned aft and center of the pilot and co-pilot seats.

"We designed the new seat configuration option for the Skyhawk with airline training schools and university flight programs in mind," said John Doman, vice president of Worldwide Propeller Aircraft Sales. "Moving the second student forward and to the center of the aircraft increases his or her visibility of the flight deck and allows that student to be more involved in the flight as a crew member versus a passenger."

Additional benefits to the CRM training seat are a 27-pound useful payload increase, expanded utility category envelope and possible lower insurance costs.

The Skyhawk has become the best-selling, most-flown airplane in the world with more than 43,000 delivered.