Beechcraft, Cessna offer broad range of GA aircraft suited for the Asia Pacific marketplace

Beechcraft Corporation and Cessna Aircraft Company, part of the Textron Aviation segment of Textron Inc., announced at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) in Shanghai, China, that the companies’ product range is the widest among general aviation manufacturers and is well suited for the growing GA sector in China and in other parts of the Asia Pacific region.

“As more customers in the region begin to research aircraft and match the products to their missions, we’re confident the long history of innovation from our companies and the proven quality of the Beechcraft and Cessna brands will make our aircraft popular choices,” says Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “There’s no other OEM at ABACE with a broader line of aircraft solutions for this growing general aviation marketplace, and we’re proudly showcasing our unique proposition to one of the most exciting aviation sectors in the world.”

From pistons to turboprops to business jets, Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker products have for years been in service on mainland China and throughout the region. These aircraft play an array of roles, for example personal transportation, charter operations, cargo hauling, pilot training and special missions such as aerial survey, weather modification and flight inspection.

“Beyond participation at events like ABACE and selling aircraft to operators in China and the greater Asia Pacific, we have been an active part of this dynamic region for many decades,” Shortt says. “We have business development personnel and field service reps in-country, we have invested in service and parts facilities, and we’ve developed in-country partnerships for manufacturing, service and sales.”

This year was the ABACE debut for Beechcraft’s piston-engine products, which both received certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in 2010. The Bonanza is the longest continuously produced aircraft in history, with more than 18,000 units delivered since 1947. More than 6,800 twin-engine Barons have been produced since its introduction in 1960. Also debuting at the show was Cessna’s upgraded mid-size jet, the Citation Sovereign+.

“Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft are ideal for the type of flying done in the region, offering the performance and reliability operators want along with operating efficiencies for trips to and from the most important business hubs in Asia,” Shortt says. “As the infrastructure in China continues to develop, more business leaders and entrepreneurs are learning that seeing their clients and operations on a regular basis is possible by owning business aircraft.”