Environment "Difficult"... But Buyers Are Still Out There

Despite recent, disconcerting economic news, Cessna brought seven aircraft and a positive outlook to AOPA Expo 2008, running through Saturday in San Jose, CA.

"While the economic slowdown has created a difficult business environment, we are encouraged by brisk activity from new and existing propeller fleet operators placing almost 200 orders for 2009 production aircraft," Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack J. Pelton said. "These customers use aircraft to generate revenue or complete missions, so the aircraft are tools that are essential to their businesses being successful. Flight schools, for example, need to continue to upgrade to all-glass cockpits in order to stay competitive in the training market."

Like its competitors, Cessna has felt the sting of the current economic downturn; ANN reported earlier this week Cessna expects to trim its workforce, due to changes to its production plans for 2009. And it's no secret sales of single-engine piston aircraft as a whole are slipping fast.

That said, Cessna maintains it continues to see respectable order figures for its SEP line... particularly for the stalwart 172. Cessna and the University of North Dakota (UND) announced in July a multi-year contract for Skyhawks to be used for flight training. Cessna says UND will take delivery in November of the final Skyhawk in its initial order of 25.

Another long-time Cessna customer, the University of Dubuque, recently ordered 10 Skyhawks to replace its current fleet of Model 172s. The school took delivery of five this summer and will receive the next five in summer 2009.

Cessna currently has eight single-engine models, and one in development; four Caravan models; and eight Citation models in production with two in the development process.

At its static display at Mineta San Jose International Airport, Cessna displayed its Skyhawk, Turbo Skylane, Turbo Stationair, Cessna 350, Cessna 400, Grand Caravan and Citation Mustang. Mock-ups of the SkyCatcher light sport aircraft and the Cessna 400 are on the exhibit hall floor at the McEnery Convention Center.

FMI: www.cessna.com