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Cessna Foresees Demand Gathering Pace in Asia-Pacific Region

SINGAPORE, February 14, 2012 — Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, said today at the Singapore Airshow the company anticipates accelerating demand for light and mid-size business jets across the Asia-Pacific region in the next decade.

Speaking at the show, Trevor Esling, vice president, Sales for EMAA (Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia), said: “The Asia-Pacific region already accounts for 10% of Cessna’s business jet sales and we anticipate demand increasing further in the medium to long term. The region’s economic resilience during the global financial crisis, rising national prosperity and Chinese airspace liberalization make it likely that the business aviation market will mature at quite a rapid pace. Cessna therefore expects demand for light and mid-size aircraft to rise accordingly.”

In the past 12 months Cessna has undertaken various measures to strengthen its presence in the region. In China, Cessna’s dedicated Citation sales team has increased to nine members, reflecting the company’s increased focus on the commercial market and determination to build on success already achieved in the governmental sector. Cessna has also based a dedicated field service manager and is expected to complete a joint service facility, with sister-company Bell Helicopter, in the second quarter of this year in Singapore.

Esling continued: “All indications are that the Chinese economy will grow by more than 8% this year alone, while forecasts for the economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are similarly positive. These forecasts are extremely encouraging for aviation in general, with China expected to become one of the top 10 countries for business jet ownership by 2025.”

February 15, 2012 I Written By

I'm Dave and I am a proud Avgeek. It goes way beyond liking airplanes. It is a passion that cannot be subdued.

Gulfstream Aerospace and FlightSafety Launch First Flight Simulator Dedicated to Business Jet Training in Asia

Gulfstream G450/G550 Simulator Is Located In Newly Opened Hong Kong Learning Center

SAVANNAH, Ga., February 14, 2012 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. and FlightSafety International today announced the opening of a new Learning Center in Hong Kong. The center will train operators of Gulfstream G450 and G550 aircraft using a Level D-qualified full-flight simulator, the first of its kind in Asia. This training was previously held in the United States; the new Hong Kong center will allow pilots and technicians to train closer to where they are based.

Approximately 80 Gulfstream aircraft are located in Hong Kong and mainland China, with a total of 175 in Asia Pacific. Gulfstream is the market-share leader in the region, with 48 percent of large-cabin business jets.

“We’re pleased to partner with FlightSafety to offer this training opportunity for current and future operators,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “This is the first simulator dedicated solely for business-jet operators in Asia, and, as the market leader in the region, we’re thrilled to blaze this trail.”

The new simulator is indicative of the joint commitment Gulfstream and FlightSafety have made to support the region’s rapidly growing customer base. The number of training events FlightSafety provided to the region’s Gulfstream operators increased by 230 percent in the past five years. More than 4,000 courses were delivered in 2011, including more than 700 for pilots, maintenance technicians and other aviation professionals who operate and support Gulfstream aircraft.

The new interchangeable Gulfstream G450 and G550 simulator is equipped with the company’s latest advancements in flight simulation technology, including the VITAl X visual system and electric motion and control loading technology.

“The G450 and G550 are some of our most popular aircraft in Asia thanks to their intercontinental range, speed, reliability and comfort,” Flynn said. “The G450 can travel 8,061 km at Mach 0.80, linking Hong Kong and Moscow or Hong Kong and Perth. The G550, meanwhile, has a range of 12,501 km. It can easily take eight passengers and four crew members from Hong Kong to Honolulu or Hong Kong to Paris.”

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation

A wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 2,000 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150®; the new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G280®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350®; the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550® and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650®. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 11,500 people at 11 major locations. We invite you to visit our website for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.

General Dynamics

Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 95,100 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

I Written By

I'm Dave and I am a proud Avgeek. It goes way beyond liking airplanes. It is a passion that cannot be subdued.

Boeing, Lion Air Finalize Historic Order for up to 380 737s

Airline orders 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900ERs worth $22.4 billion; Largest ever commercial airplane order for Boeing; Lion Air is launch customer for 737 MAX 9

Boeing, Lion Air Finalize Historic Order for up to 380 737s

SINGAPORE, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Jakarta-based Lion Air today finalized a firm order for 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900ERs (extended range). The agreement, first announced last November in Indonesia, also includes purchase rights for an additional 150 airplanes.

“The 737 MAX is the best choice for Lion Air and the best airplane to serve our passengers,” said Rusdi Kirana, Lion Air Founder and President Director. “We’re excited to be the first airline in Asia to fly the 737 MAX and to be the global launch customer of the 737 MAX 9.”

With orders for 230 airplanes valued at $22.4 billion at list prices, this deal is the largest commercial airplane order ever in Boeing’s history by both dollar value and total number of airplanes. Lion Air will also acquire purchase rights for an additional 150 airplanes.

“Lion Air has been a leader in Indonesia from the very beginning,” said Dinesh Keskar, vice president of Asia-Pacific and India Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Today more people are flying in Asia at lower fares because of the 737 and this historic 737 MAX order will help connect more people in the future.”

The 737 MAX is a new engine variant of the world’s best selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 10-12 percent fuel burn improvement over today’s most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes and a 7 percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow’s competition.

To date, the 737 MAX has orders and commitments for more than 1,000 airplanes from 15 customers and the Next-Generation 737 family has won orders for more than 6,600 airplanes.

Lion Air, Indonesia’s largest private airline, currently operates or has on order a total of 178 Next-Generation 737s.

I Written By

I'm Dave and I am a proud Avgeek. It goes way beyond liking airplanes. It is a passion that cannot be subdued.