News archive: Textron Aviation Inc. | Airframer

26 August

ReleaseIncora extends chemical management services contract with Textron

6 August

The CJ3 Gen3 prototype reached 41,000 feet during its nearly two-hour first flight.

CJ3 Gen3 prototype completes maiden flight in Wichita

The prototype aircraft pairs Garmin Emergency Autoland with the G3000 avionics suite as Textron Aviation continues certification work on the light jet.

21 July

ReleaseCessna Citation Gen3 light jets progress toward FAA certification

20 July

ReleaseNew Pipistrel Voyager brings next generation training capabilities and access to flight schools

15 June

ReleaseNIAR opens Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research at Wichita State

3 June

The Citation M2 Gen3 prototype reached 41,000ft during its first flight.

Textron's next-generation Citation M2 completes first flight

The M2 Gen3 aircraft has entered a wider test programme as Textron works towards certification and planned service entry in 2027.

1 June

ReleaseTextron Aviation celebrates 500th Cessna Citation CJ4 rollout as Gen3 era approaches

29 May

ReleaseCessna SkyCourier demand drives expansion of Textron Aviation flight test operations

6 May

Textron sharpens aerospace focus with planned separation

The planned separation will create a more focused aerospace and defence group while giving Industrial its own growth path.

20 April

ReleaseHoneywell announces plans to expand aircraft engine manufacturing In Arizona to support new U.S. Navy jet trainer

16 April

A Cessna Skylane featuring the updated cockpit and ignition systems.

Textron adds avionics and ignition upgrades across Cessna piston range

Expanded cockpit capability and updated ignition systems have improved safety features and reduced operating complexity across multiple high-wing aircraft.

7 April

ReleaseCessna SkyCourier strengthens mission versatility with new In‑Flight Operable Door option

16 February

ReleaseTRU Simulation’s Full Flight Simulator for the Cessna Citation Ascend achieves FAA qualification, expanding advanced training for midsize jet pilots

5 February

ReleaseAmphibian Aerospace Industries and Apogee Aerospace forge strategic collaboration to advance amphibious aviation in India with Albatross 2.0

1 December

ReleasePipistrel achieves historic type certification in Colombia

13 November

The Ascend completed more than 1,000 flight hours before earning FAA certification.

Ascend earns FAA certification after 1,000+ flight hours

Textron has secured FAA type certification for the Cessna Citation Ascend, with customer deliveries expected to begin later this year.

12 November

ReleasePipistrel Velis Electro, Explorer, Velis Club aircraft earn type certificate validation from Transport Canada

4 November

ReleaseTRU Simulation receives Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau qualification for the Subaru Bell 412EPX Flight Training Device, delivering next-level realism to rotorcraft training operators in Japan

13 October

ReleaseCessna Citation M2 Gen2 with Garmin Autothrottles achieves FAA certification, bringing greater control and precision to pilots

13 October

ReleaseCessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 achieves FAA type certification, bringing the most comprehensive Gen2 enhancements to market

24 September

ReleaseBest-selling Cessna Citation Latitude achieves FAA certification for new, advanced features for Garmin G5000 avionics

20 September

Textron Aviation employees gathered in Kansas as the first Citation Ascend was completed and prepared for FAA certification later in the year.

First production Ascend is rolled out in Wichita

Textron has confirmed that the first production Citation Ascend left its Wichita facility on September 15, marking a key programme milestone.

8 September

ReleaseTRU Simulation’s Veris Virtual Reality Flight Simulator achieves FAA qualification, ushering in a new era of immersive pilot training

2 September

ReleaseJamco announces acquisition of Aerospace Technologies Group by Bain Capital, expanding global cabin interiors platform

19 August

ReleaseZeroAvia receives signed P-1 issue paper from Federal Aviation Administration for 600kW electric propulsion system

12 August

ReleaseGogo Galileo HDX connectivity option now available on Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3

11 August

ReleaseSignia Aerospace acquires Precise Flight, expanding capabilities in aviation safety and performance

21 July

ReleaseMcCauley Propeller Systems high-performance C780 propeller now factory standard for new Beechcraft King Air 360 customers

17 July

More than 45,000 Cessna 172 Skyhawks have been delivered since the aircraft first flew in 1955.

Textron equips Skyhawk with dual ignition upgrade

The company has replaced the magneto system with electronic ignition during the 70th anniversary year of the Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

15 July

ReleaseCessna Grand Caravan EX to feature new executive interior options, expanding opportunities for elevated missions

15 May

ReleaseCessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 flight test program advances through milestones as second test article takes flight

22 April

ReleaseLittlejohn Capital announces acquisition of 3P Processing

25 March

ReleaseZeroAvia awarded U.S. Air Force grant for an autonomous hydrogen-electric aircraft

26 February

ReleaseArgonaut Private Equity announces acquisition of Pryer Aerospace

3 February

ReleaseZeroAvia receives FAA G-1 for 600kW electric propulsion system

17 December

ReleaseCessna SkyCourier achieves Canada Type Certification, bringing operational support to remote regions of North America

7 November

Enhanced body design shortens path to production for Switchblade

The new design improves performance and shortens the pathway to production by transferring much of what worked well in the test vehicle that flew, into the new streamlined design.

29 October

ReleaseWichita State’s NIAR delivers fiber metal laminate test panel to FAA

24 October

Textron's CJ4 Gen3 prototype takes first flight

The team evaluated the new avionics systems, along with the propulsion, environmental and flight control systems, during the 1 hour and 47 minute flight.

24 October

Ascend progresses towards certification with latest update of G5000

The Ascend program includes two test articles – Prototype (Proto) and P1 – which have accumulated nearly 600 flight hours through more than 200 flights.

21 October

ReleaseTextron Aviation elevates connectivity with Gogo Galileo HDX on Cessna Citation Longitude, Latitude and Ascend

21 October

ReleaseTextron Aviation soars into NBAA-BACE as it unveils the next generation of Cessna Citation business jets - the CJ4 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and M2 Gen3

19 September

Textron Aviation has been designing and manufacturing industry-leading Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft for more than 95 years.

Textron earns FAA approval for SMS in design and manufacturing

Textron Aviation's new SMS program includes a voluntary reporting tool that allows employees, customers or suppliers to anonymously report aircraft quality risks or hazards directly to the company's SMS Committee.

21 August

ReleaseCessna SkyCourier global status enhanced with type certification in the Philippines

15 August

IS&S receives contract for military MFD and Mission Computers

This marks the latest OEM contract for IS&S building on existing OEM programs with Pilatus Aircraft for the PC-24, Textron for the King Air 260/360, and Boeing for the KC-46A, KC-767A and the T-7A.

8 August

ReleaseTRU Simulation delivers Cessna Citation Longitude Full-Flight Simulator to FlightSafety International

7 August

The United States Army has approved the Milestone B decision for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, marking the beginning of the weapon system’s Program of Record.

Bell’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft enters milestone B

The aircraft will fly twice as far and twice as fast as the current fleet. By utilising mature tiltrotor technology coupled with an innovative digital engineering approach it will be reliable, affordable and high-performing.

22 July

ReleaseTextron Aviation unveils the next generation of military aircrew multi-engine training aircraft at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow