PressMediaWire.com (Press Release Distribution) – Apr 07,2009 –

Dallas, TX – April 2, 2009 – Jack J. Pelton, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today shared his strategy for surviving aviation’s current down cycle in remarks as the keynote speaker at the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) 52nd annual International Convention & Trade Show, the world’s largest convention of avionics professionals.

In his speech, Pelton emphasized key elements in Cessna’s strategy, including the importance of understanding the customer and the market, right sizing the business, keeping employees focused and engaged, increasing communications with suppliers and partners, and working with government officials.

“Cessna has chosen not to focus on staying dry during this storm. Rather, we are out front fighting the storm,” Pelton told the audience as he explained the “Rise” advertising campaign Cessna launched in February. “We’re positioned to help our customers stay competitive and airborne � and we believe that’s never been more important than in difficult times like these.

“Even without the global economic and credit crisis and the public relations issues we’re facing, this would be a year of tackling big issues that have long-term, monumental consequences for our industry,” Pelton said. “This is a pivotal time for our industry in so many areas. How we perform as individual companies and as an industry will determine our future.”

Pelton challenged attendees to get involved in recasting the image of business aviation and shaping the many regulatory issues facing the industry. “Working together as an industry is the only way we will weather this storm,” he said.

Click here for the complete script of the speech.

About Cessna Aircraft Company
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2008, Cessna delivered 1,301 aircraft, including 467 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5.662 billion. Cessna has a backlog of $14.5 billion as of December 31, 2008. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 5,700 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at https://www.cessna.com.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.

SOURCE: The Textron Company