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On March 14, 2014 Beechcraft and Cessna joined a united front as Textron Aviation. The two reigning aviation manufacturers both had nearly 100 years of success in the industry as designers and creators of many iconic aircraft and together, joined to create an impressive legacy as one company.
Under one brand, Textron represents the history of Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, with more than half of all general aviation products produced globally. Throughout the decade, Textron has announced 19 new products, expanded its advanced manufacturing capabilities, bolstered the global support network and continued to emphasize providing the best customer experience in the industry.
Textron has provided customers with over 250,000 aircraft in over 170 countries. Company employees are driven to provide smart solutions to equip customers with safe, affordable and flexible flights. Textron has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world.
Cessna
A Cessna All Purpose aircraft took off on Aug. 13, 1927, launching a legacy that has evolved through the decades and is now part of the Textron brand. The small Wichita-based company wanted to build a monoplane that used a wing without supporting struts or braces and Clyde Cessna's cantilever design set a standard still followed today. He was inspired by a flying exhibition in 1911 and his greatest wish was to fly, but when he learned that aviators were paid as much as $1,000 per show, the dream became a financial opportunity. Clyde Cessna was not only the founder and inventor of the Cessna brand and plane, he was the first customer.
On Sept. 7, 1927 Cessna and Victor H. Roos formed a partnership that led to the Cessna-Roos Aircraft Company. Roos soon resigned and on Dec. 22, 1927 the secretary of state approved a name change to Cessna Aircraft Corporation. More aircraft followed before Cessna collaborated with his son and developed the CR-series racing aircraft. The company held strong during the Great Depression, despite the massive decline in aircraft sales, and for many years after Cessna was forced out of the business. With his hard-working nephews taking the reins, Cessna Aircraft Corporation made its return and Clyde Cessna returned to a life as a farmer.
For the better part of the mid-to-late 20th century, Cessna's brand had one of the highest-volume and most diverse general aviation aircraft in the world. Clyde Cessna died on Nov. 20, 1954 at age 74 and was posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1978 and the International Air andamp; Space Hall of Fame in 1983. Despite ending his life as a farmer, his impact on aviation lives on.
The Cessna brand remains one of the most well-known in the world. With jets, turboprops and pistons, Cessna offers its customers versatile aircraft to enable them to complete missions and map out future ambitions. Under the Cessna umbrella is the world's most-delivered aircraft trainer, the Cessna 172. The Cessna brand aircraft are known to be rugged and flexible, dependable and easy to maintain. Aircraft include the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, the Cessna 182 Skylane, the Cessna 208 Caravan, the Citation CJ3 Gen2 and Citation Longitude.
Beechcraft
Walter H. Beech left an executive position with the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1932 to begin designing and manufacturing planes in Wichita. Beech ventured out on his own with his wife and business partner, Olive Ann Beech. The pair were warned that there was no market for a cabin biplane with a luxury interior amidst the Great Depression. The husband and wife business partners continued to build the "finest aircraft in the world" and change the course of general aviation.
It began with a 200-mile-per-hour Beechcraft Model 17 biplane called the Staggerwing, with hundreds sold to civilians and the U.S. military. Beechcraft's philosophy was quality, advanced technology, customer satisfaction and business integrity, which is maintained to this day. The team developed numerous notable aircraft before Beech died in 1950, including the Bonanza, which is the longest continually produced aircraft in the world. After his death, his wife continued the company's legacy. Olive Ann became the president and CEO until Beechcraft was purchased by Raytheon in 1980.
During the mid-to-late 20th century, Beechcraft was one of the big three in the world of general aviation. Following other mergers and name changes, Beechcraft held true to its original name and philosophy. The Beechcraft brand is known for its piston products and the reputable King Air line of turboprops. The brand has established itself in the market with its unmatched customer loyalty and the legacy of the bright red "B" remains a symbol of excellence and versatile aircraft. The Beechcraft legacy lives on with its line of impressive aircraft, including the King Air 360, Denali, Bonanza and Baron.
Joining together 10 years ago has joined two icons of the general aviation industry under one brand name. Textron Aviation has continued to uphold the legacy of Clyde Cessna and Walter and Olive Ann Beech. Textron said its focus remains on what's next.
"We're passionate about our products and the opportunities they bring, and we believe the best is yet to come," Textron said in its celebratory news release. "Congratulations to the entire Textron Aviation team on a decade of excellence together. We're proudly shaping the way people fly today and tomorrow."