Textron Aviation – formed in March this year when the Cessna and Beechcraft brands were brought together - is making its MEBA show debut and is out to prove that bigger isn’t always better.
With Textron Aviation’s range topping out at the super-midsize Cessna Citation Latitude, it might seem ill-suited to the Middle East market, given the preference for larger business aircraft.
But despite this, says Bill Harris, the company’s vice-president sales for Asia, Middle East and Africa, there are plenty of opportunities for its brands, even at the lighter end.
In fact, it is the growth of the big Gulf airlines – Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways – and their need for home-grown pilots that is providing an opportunity for Cessna’s 172 Skyhawk and 182 Skylane.
Textron Aviation has proposed the piston-powered, high-wing 172 and 182 for two large tenders from training providers in the region serving those carriers, says Harris.
“You are going to see that happen more,” he says. “Rather than count on someone else for their training, they would rather do it in-house.”
The supply of special mission aircraft is another area of strength, says Harris, particularly with the Beechcraft King Air, which, alongside the Cessna Caravan, represents the majority of the region’s turboprop market.
“Whether it’s aerial surveying, geophysical surveying, executive transport for some governments, the King Air has done quite well in that role.”
He cites the reliability of the type’s Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 powerplants as a key selling point for the region. “There’s not much more bullet-proof an engine that has been so widely sold and distributed,” he says.
The security situation in the Middle East and North Africa is also driving sales of the King Air for use as surveillance asset. Harris says its long endurance and high payload make it ideal for the role.
But Textron Aviation is not neglecting its jet business either. It has a midsize Cessna Citation Sovereign+ and entry-level M2 on its MEBA static display, alongside King Air 350 and Caravan turboprops.
And waiting in the wings is the Latitude business jet, which Harris believes will sell well in the region.
Source: Flight Daily News
