Textron Aviation highlights continued investment at LABACE 2016

Textron Aviation Inc. announced its extensive aircraft lineup at this week’s Latin American Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (LABACE) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, showcasing its continued investment in new products and customer support capabilities in the region.

Textron Aviation, with its in-country channel partner, TAM Aviação Executive, is displaying its broad product lineup, including the Citation Latitude, Citation CJ3+, Citation M2,Citation Mustang, Fusion-equipped Beechcraft King Air 350i, Cessna Grand Caravan EX, Beechcraft Baron and Cessna Turbo Stationair.

“Textron Aviation is committed to strengthening its product line and enhancing product support for our customers in Latin America, and our display of Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft at LABACE demonstrates the importance we place on serving our customers throughout the region,” said Lannie O’Bannion, vice president, Sales, Latin America and Caribbean. “Through new product development, continuous enhancement to existing products, and support resources strategically positioned throughout the region, Textron Aviation’s commitment to the unique requirements of this market is stronger than ever. And our investment continues.”

Citation investment and leadership

Making its LABACE debut last year, the Citation Latitude is on track to achieve ANAC certification in the coming weeks, to be shortly followed by the region’s first deliveries. Since the Latitude entered into service last August, it has experienced an outstanding market reception with 32 aircraft delivered through the end of June, making it the best-selling aircraft in its class. Customers have been impressed with the aircraft’s excellent operating economics, superior performance and unprecedented cabin comfort.

With a maximum range of 2,850 nautical miles, the Citation Latitude affords the most open, spacious, bright and refined cabin environment in the midsize category and provides a 5,950-foot cabin altitude at the aircraft’s maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet. With standard seating configurations, the Latitude can comfortably accommodate up to nine passengers.

The Citation Latitude is representative of the company’s continued path of product investment and leadership as the first of the company’s larger three-aircraft Citation family, which also includes the upcoming super-midsize Citation Longitude – nearing its first flight in the coming weeks – and the large cabin Citation Hemisphere business jets.

Textron Aviation remains the clear leader in light jet deliveries both in the Latin America region and throughout the world delivering nearly 5,000 total light jets. Representing the company’s latest light jet innovations, the company is showcasing the Citation CJ3+ and the Citation M2 at LABACE.

Turboprop innovation wins in market

Beechcraft and Cessna’s turboprop platforms lead the market with more than 1,700 turboprop aircraft in Latin America. With Brazil certification and the first regional deliveries imminent, the Beechcraft King Air 350i, equipped with the new Pro Line Fusion avionics system and cabin upgrades, brings one of the most trusted avionics architectures and first full touch-screen flight display system to the region. The one-of-a-kind, intuitive flight deck enhances the flight experience while reducing pilot workload. King Air 350i with Fusion features three 14-inch interchangeable, high-resolution displays and touchscreen capability, high-resolution synthetic vision and full multi-sensor flight management system, and an open and scalable architecture for future upgrades.

Continuing the company’s focus on investment across its product offerings, Textron Aviation recently debuted the cabin mockup for its upcoming clean-sheet Cessna Denali high-performance single engine turboprop. The clean-sheet Denali is designed to outperform its competition in capability, pilot interface and ownership costs. Engineered to achieve cruise speeds of 285 knots and full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds, the Denali will have a range of 1,600 nautical miles at high speed cruise, powered by GE’s new advanced turboprop engine. The Denali will feature the Garmin G3000 intuitive touchscreen avionics suite and will include high-resolution multifunction displays and split-screen capability. The Cessna Denali is already garnering interest in the region and is expected to be popular due to its combination of range, payload cabin amenities and performance capabilities.

Dedicated support for the region’s largest fleet

Supporting the largest fleet of aircraft throughout the Latin America region, Textron Aviation has a robust network of 34 authorized service facilities. In addition, the company also has seven dedicated field service representatives in region offering maintenance, inspections, parts, repairs, refurbishments and other specialized services for the entire range of Textron Aviation products.

Textron Aviation and TAM representatives will be on hand to meet with customers throughout LABACE, running August 30 through September 1 at Brazil’s São Paulo Congonhas Airport.