RICHMOND HEIGHTS, OHIO — April 2nd, 2008 —

Nextant Aerospace announced today the public launch of its Nextant 400NXT.  The Nextant Aerospace 400NXT Beechjet Retrofit and Modernization program will fill a market demand of a modern, medium range (2000 nautical mile) business aircraft priced under $5.0 million dollars.

The 400NXT eliminates one of the significant deficiencies to the very popular Hawker 400XP/Beechjet 400A.  By replacing the existing out dated Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines with new modern Williams FJ44-3AP dual FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) engines and incorporating new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suites, the range of the 400NXT will be increased from 1180 nautical miles to over 2000 nautical miles (4 passenger, NBAA IFR range) and the operating costs reduced by 27%, based on fuel savings alone.

“Combining this engine modification with an upgraded state-of-the-art cockpit, will make the 400NXT a true "Category Killer", outperforming all other light jets at its price point and offering a purchase price of less than half for an aircraft with the same performance” said Kenn Ricci, CEO of Nextant Aerospace.

The 400NXT will be offered as a remanufactured serialized production aircraft as well as a modification retrofit program.

Fully modified, the 400NXT will sell for under $5.0 million and will be available with various cabin configurations and entertainment options.  Over the past 9 months, Nextant has completed the preliminary engineering phase and due diligence required in order to minimize risk and ensure the success of the program.  For additional information please visit www.nextantaerospace.com. 

About Nextant Aerospace

Nextant Aerospace was formed for the primary purpose of developing an aircraft modernization program with its research and development facility located at Cleveland’s Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF).  Nextant operates two full-service corporate aircraft maintenance and overhaul facilities located across the United States.  The service center network has current locations at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Birmingham Alabama International Airport (BHM) with two additionally planned facilities to be opened within the next 12 months.  The manufacturing, completions and delivery center is scheduled to be opened in the 2nd quarter of 2009. For more information, please visit www.nextantaerospace.com

About Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management, and simulation and training is delivered by 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com .

The Williams FJ44-3 engine has been selected by Sierra Industries to improve the performance and reduce the operating cost of the Citation II

Orlando, FL 16 October 2006 – Williams International has been selected as the engine supplier for Sierra Industries’ supplemental type certification of the Citation II. Sierra was recently awarded an STC for its Stallion – the Citation I re-engined with Williams FJ44-2 engines – and now Sierra has launched a program to re-engine the Citation II with Williams FJ44-3 engine.

“We saw such great results on the Stallion,” said Mark Hufstutler, president of Sierra Industries, “that we’re very excited about the re-engined Citation II. Performance will go way up, operating cost and noise will go way down, and the FADEC controls will make the airplane easier to fly.”

The FJ44-3 engine currently powers the Cessna CJ3 and Grob SPn, and the Citation II will be one of its first retrofit applications. “We felt sure that once a 3000-pound thrust FJ44 was certified and in production, the retrofit market would embrace it,” said Matt Huff, vice president of Business Development for Williams, “and that’s what we’re seeing. Cessna built more than 800 Citation IIs in the 1980s, and these excellent airframes are ideal candidates for modern, efficient, quiet turbofans to extend their operating lives.”

FJ44 engines are renowned for their high performance and rugged reliability. They boast many advanced features pioneered by Williams and now being adopted by others in the small turbine industry such as blisks (integral blades and disks), effusion-cooled combustors, low parts count, and full authority digital engine controls (FADEC). They are also modular in design, allowing quick assembly, disassembly, and maintenance. Williams’ highly acclaimed Total Assurance Program will be offered for the FJ44-3 engines installed in the Citation II.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation announces the world’s largest, best performing and most technologically advanced single-pilot business jet.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today launched the newest member of its legendary family of capable, comfortable, reliable and efficient jets—the new Beechcraft Premier II light business jet. Evolving from the highly successful Premier IA, the Premier II will feature higher cruise speeds, a 20 percent longer range with four passengers and an increased payload while still offering the largest cabin and most technologically advanced single-pilot business jet in the world.

“For 75 years, our company has been on the forefront of private and business jet aviation,” said Jim Schuster, Hawker Beechcraft chairman and CEO. “The Beechcraft Premier II will redefine the light jet market and take it to a new level in meeting customer expectations. With its unmatched performance and efficiency, impressively spacious cabin and advanced technology, the Premier II is a natural choice for business and private travelers who want to travel in comfort and get to their destination quickly.”

The Premier II will be a twin turbofan, swept wing, light jet aircraft featuring a high-strength, state-of-the-art all-composite fuselage that allows for a medium-jet sized cabin at light jet costs. Featuring luxurious and comfortable standard seating for up to six passengers and their baggage, the Premier II will deliver more people to more locations, more efficiently and in more comfort than any other light jet.

The higher thrust engines will also improve high/hot take-off operations and increase maximum cruise speed to 465 knots (861 km/hr) at typical cruise altitudes. The time to climb to FL370 will improve from 17 minutes to 14 minutes, ensuring more efficient ATC operations and direct routing. The maximum gross takeoff weight (MGTOW) will also increase from the 12,500 pound (5,670 kg) limit found on the Premier IA to 13,800 pounds (6,260 kg), allowing operators to carry more than 900 pounds of payload with full fuel. More payload and range mean more flexibility and capability for owners without the higher acquisition and operating costs of a larger jet.

“The Beechcraft Premier IA is the fastest large-cabin, single-pilot business jet in production today, and the Premier II will be even better. Our program objective was all about improving the performance of our exceptionally successful Premier IA,” said Brad Hatt, president, Commercial Aircraft. “The Premier II takes everything that operators love about the Premier IA and improves upon it to create an aircraft that will deliver the performance and capabilities of a much larger jet while providing the economy and efficiency of a light jet. The result is an aircraft than can fly further, faster, and higher than ever before.”

Cockpit Changes

While the Premier II’s cabin will pamper passengers with luxury and comfort, its cockpit will deliver an advanced level of operational sophistication and situational awareness—just what one would expect in a jet designed to be flown single-pilot. The Premier II’s flight deck will be fine-tuned to accommodate a new 3-in-1 Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS), FADEC control switches, VHF Comm ground switch and avionics integration of the standby COMM/NAV controller.

Manufacturing and Certification

Elliptical shaped winglets, crafted of lightweight, ultra strong composites, will be installed to enhance aerodynamic performance. The Premier II’s winglets contribute to the aircraft’s long list of performance advantages. The winglets offer reduced drag and an increased effective wingspan without actually lengthening the wings, enabling the Premier II to fly farther than its predecessor. The custom designed winglets were sized to provide distance performance improvements while not impacting airframe inspection schedules.

The improved capability is also largely due to the Premier II’s certification in accordance with 14 CFR Part 23 Commuter Category thru Amendment 23-57, which will include new engines specified in compliance with the environmental aircraft pollution standards. First flight of the aircraft is scheduled for April 2009 with FAA Certification planned for Q2 2010. European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) certification is expected in Q4 2010.

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:  TXT) company, today flew for the first time the new Williams FJ44-4A engine aboard a Citation test bed aircraft. The Williams FJ44-4A will power the new Citation CJ4 being developed by Cessna as the newest member of the popular CJ line of Citation business jets.

First flight of the CJ4 is scheduled for the first half of 2008 and entry into service is set for the first half of 2010.

“The first flight of the new engine went very well, and performance exceeded our expectations during the 50-minute flight,” said CJ4 Program Manager Norm Baker III. “This new Williams engine is going to give our aircraft excellent capability in terms of performance, thrust, fuel economy and aerodynamics.”

The Williams International FJ44-4A electronically controlled (FADEC) engine will debut on the CJ4. The twin engines each provide 3,400 pounds of thrust (de-rated from 3,600 pounds), compared to 2,820 pounds of the CJ3’s FJ44-3A.

The FJ44-4A has the best thrust-to-weight ratio in its thrust class, and it incorporates several proprietary aerodynamic improvements that yield a significant reduction in fuel consumption. Although slightly larger than an FJ44-3A, it is still a close derivative and makes use of the same FADEC.

The Williams engine on the new CJ4 is in keeping with the company’s family concept for its CJ line. Cessna’s CJ1+ is powered by Williams’ FJ44-1AP, CJ2+ is powered by the FJ44-3A-24, and CJ3 is powered by the FJ44-3A.

“Every lesson we’ve learned in 3 million FJ44 flight hours has been applied to this latest model,” said Gregg Williams, President and CEO of Williams International. “It is our most efficient engine yet, and thanks to all our prior field experience, as well as reduced operating temperatures, it will enter service with a very attractive Total Assurance Program price and a 5000-hour TBO.”

Configurable for seven to eight passengers in the main cabin, the CJ4 is expected to have a full fuel payload of 1,000 pounds and maximum payload of 2,100 pounds, more than 300 additional pounds compared to the typical CJ3. The CJ4 is expected to have a cruise speed of 500 miles per hour (435 KTAS).

The newly engineered wing of the CJ4 is moderately swept. Some features of the wing are similar to the Sovereign, including the three upper speed brake panels on each wing, which allow the airplane to have the short field performance the CJ series is known for. The CJ4 can takeoff from runways as short as 3,300 feet.

Like others in the CJ family, the CJ4 will use the Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and will feature four 8-by-10 inch flat screen displays. Some of the standard systems include engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS), TAWS Class A (terrain awareness warning system), TCAS II (traffic alert and collision avoidance system), cockpit voice recorder (CVR), electronic charts, and XM graphical weather.

Nextant Aerospace announced today that it has placed an initial production order of 40 Williams International FJ44-3AP engines for the Nextant 400NXT program.

This order follows an order placed in October 2007 for two flight test FJ44-3AP engines to support the 400NXT flight test and certification program.

"The 400NXT matches a great airplane with a great engine," said Gregg Williams, President and CEO of Williams International.

"Following the success of the previous FJ44 programs, we are confident the FJ44-3AP is the ideal partner to the 400NXT’s aerodynamic and avionics enhancements," said Kenn Ricci, CEO of Nextant Aerospace.

The Nextant 400NXT is designed to overcome significant limitations to the popular Hawker Beechjet 400XP/400A. By replacing the existing outdated Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines with the new, modern Williams International FJ44-3AP computer-controlled engines, and incorporating new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suites, the range of the 400NXT will be increased from 1180 nautical miles to over 2000 (4 passenger, NBAA IFR range). Also, operating costs will be reduced by 27% based on fuel savings alone.

The 400NXT will be offered as a remanufactured serialized production aircraft as well as a modification retrofit program. Fully modified, the 400NXT will sell for under $5.0 million and will be available with various cabin configurations and entertainment options.

Nextant Aerospace was formed for the primary purpose of developing an aircraft modernization program, and operates two full-service corporate aircraft maintenance and overhaul facilities located across the United States. The service center network (formerly Constant Aviation) has locations at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Birmingham Alabama International Airport (BHM). For more information, please visit www.nextantaerospace.com.

Jet engine manufacturer Williams International has teamed with Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College to establish a center at Business Depot Ogden that will train students in lean manufacturing techniques and advanced machining starting next year.

Williams is contributing $25 million worth of equipment to the facility, which is being hailed as the first of its kind in the United States. The company has spent weeks hauling 25 state-of-the-art milling machines from a closed auto parts plant in Michigan into the 53,000-square-foot building, one of the newer structures at the industrial park.

"For a private employer to make an investment like this in all of Northern Utah, and be willing to open their facilities and processes, that is something unique," said Collette Mercier, vice president for instructional services at OWATC. "Everyone involved is partnering for the benefit of the whole community."

Williams is providing the equipment, as well as all related transportation and setup work. In all, the company's contribution to the center is about $30 million.

Several of the company's suppliers have also committed to donate equipment after realizing the potential of the center to become a world-class facility, said Lloyd McCaffrey, director of manufacturing technology for Williams.

"This will provide all of the tools students will be using in the industry," McCaffrey said. "We will use this center as an example to show others how lean manufacturing works, to help people understand the concept."

Lean manufacturing refers to the implementation of procedures that maximize workplace efficiency and productivity. It is based on the concept of "continuous improvement," where employees at all levels are encouraged to come up with ideas to make company operations more "lean."

In return, Williams gains additional manufacturing capacity in a building leased by the college. The facility will have three production lines -- one each for aluminum, alloy and titanium products.

It will produce rough parts for the company's signature jet engines, used in both commercial and military applications. The parts will go to Williams' primary manufacturing facility at Ogden-Hinckley Airport for finishing.

"We get more capacity, and the students get a higher level of education," McCaffrey said. "It's a win-win situation." 

The advanced skills students learn at the center will help them start with higher wages at the entry level, he said.

Crews are now setting up the advanced four-axis milling machines, which weigh about 30 tons each. The center is scheduled to begin operating in early spring next year.

 “The Williams-powered CJs have been a great market success,” said Jack Pelton, Cessna’s Chairman, President and CEO, “so Williams was an obvious choice to power the CJ4. The reliable performance of Williams’ engines, as well as their responsive and top-rated customer support have helped Cessna sell nearly a thousand CJs and create a very satisfied base of CJ owners and operators.” Cessna’s CJ1+ is powered by Williams’ FJ44-1AP, CJ2+ is powered by the FJ44-3A-24, and CJ3 is powered by the FJ44-3A.

 The FJ44-4 has the best thrust-to-weight ratio in its thrust class, and it incorporates several proprietary aerodynamic improvements that yield a significant reduction in specific fuel consumption. Although slightly larger than an FJ44-3, it is still a close derivative and makes use of the same FADEC. “Every lesson we’ve learned in 2.5 million FJ44 flight hours has been applied to this latest model,” said Gregg Williams, President and CEO of Williams International. “It is our most efficient engine yet, and thanks to all our prior field experience, as well as reduced operating temperatures, it will enter service with a very attractive Total Assurance Program price and a 5000-hour TBO.” 

 Williams FJ44 and FJ33 engines are renowned for their high performance and rugged reliability. They boast many advanced features pioneered by Williams and now being adopted by others in the turbine industry such as blisks (integral blades and disks), effusion-cooled combustors, low parts count, and full authority digital engine controls (FADEC). They are also modular in design, allowing quick assembly and disassembly. “The modular design of our engines also allows us to offer on-wing hot sections for the convenience of our customers,” according to Frank Smith, Vice President of Customer Support for Williams. “We can turn your airplane around in as little as two shifts in North America, and we plan to expand that capability around the world.”

 “We forecast a very good market for our FJ44-4,” according to Matt Huff, Vice President of Business Development for Williams, “ because there is a big fleet of aging jets that need to be replaced by modern aircraft powered by efficient, quiet, and more reliable engines in the FJ44-4 thrust class.”

www.cessna.com/news/article.chtml?ID=buKkVHZ237qaHQJkpv6VAVsE8LmmyRYUAdf1dk7iE9qFUlQvCr

• Work Life Initiatives – our comprehensive health and retirement benefits, optional long-term care insurance, flexible work schedules, educational assistance and paid time off.

• Performance Management – internal and external career development opportunities, new hire orientation, a formal performance review process, frequent promotion opportunities, lower than average turnover.

• Total Rewards including things like employee recognition, cool celebrations, our pay programs, and a Results Based Incentive system.

• Corporate Citizenship and Leadership including charitable contributions, support of community based programs, promoting volunteerism and demanding high integrity behavior.

• Work Environment -- having an aggressive workplace safety program in place and maintaining an environmentally friendly workplace.

All of this (and more) makes Williams International a Cool Place to Work, where each team member can be proud of the many great products and services our team members make and deliver.

Salina, Kansas -- Steve Fossett has piloted the FJ44-powered GlobalFlyer to a third world record.
The Williams International FJ44-ATW turbofan engine, rated at ~ 2700 lbs of thrust for takeoff, that powered the three around-the-world flights is essentially the same engine design powering more than a thousand business jet aircraft in the US and Europe. It is the world’s only engine with the unique combination of very high thrust at altitude, very light weight, and extremely low fuel consumption that made such flights possible. The Williams-powered GlobalFlyer now holds three of aviation’s seven absolute records: Speed around the world non-stop and non-refueled (342 mph), Distance without landing (25,766 miles), and Distance over a closed circuit (25,320 miles). The design leader and program manager of the aircraft was John Karkow, one of the leading engineers at Scaled Composites.

Gregg Williams said “Williams International has proudly sponsored each of Steve’s three incredible world-record flights because the GlobalFlyer’s unique mission is an ideal showcase for Williams’ engine technology. The mission calls for 80 hours of non-stop flight at altitudes as high as 52,000 ft, so the single engine must combine very high performance and ultra high reliability.”

Steve Fossett said “I appreciate Williams’ support of my flights, but not half as much as I appreciate the flawless performance of their engine.”

Williams International is the world’s leading manufacturer of small turbofan engines. Its FJ44/FJ33 engine family powers all of the light jets on the market today, and most of the very light jets currently being certified. The first member of the Williams civil turbofan family of engines entered production in 1992, and since then Williams has continuously integrated new and improved technology components into the engine to keep its performance well ahead of all new competing engines while retaining the high reliability inherent in derivative engines. More than 2,200 FJ44/FJ33 engines have been produced, and they have accumulated more than two and a half million hours of safe, reliable operation including very low unscheduled removal rates in the fractional and air taxi markets. Williams International’s customer support has been rated number one in the industry by various independent product support surveys for the last eight years. This privately-owned company is headquartered in Commerce Township, Michigan. A second facility in Ogden, Utah, is the most modern and efficient gas turbine design-to-production facility in the world. Williams International celebrated its 50th anniversary and delivery of its 21,000th engine of all types last year.

Wichita, Kan. – Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, completed first flight of its Citation CJ4 business jet prototype today.

"It was an outstanding first flight," said Cessna Senior Engineering Test Pilot Dan Morris, who flew the aircraft with Engineering Flight Test Manager Dave Bonifield as co-pilot. "We tested quite a number of the systems on the aircraft, including the autopilot, and all performed very well. The FADECs operated just as we expected, and along with the four displays of the Pro Line 21, this is a very pilot-friendly aircraft. Operators will transition easily into the CJ4."

The 2-hour, 22-minute flight departed McConnell Air Force Base just after 11:30 a.m. and consisted of flight maneuvers evaluating stability and control along with initial systems evaluations. While the pilots took the prototype on a sustained climb to 16,000 feet, engineers monitored the aircraft’s instrumentation and safety equipment via telemetry systems at Cessna’s engineering facility at Mid-Continent Airport, where the CJ4 landed.

Two additional CJ4 aircraft are taking shape at Cessna’s Pawnee Advanced Engineering facility in Wichita. All three test aircraft will log air time in the certification effort. The first production aircraft, Serial 0001, will primarily be used for avionics and systems certification, while the second production aircraft, Serial 0002, will fly function and reliability along with company service tests. First flight for both production CJ4s will take place later this year.

"Our program team and supplier partners are proud of this aircraft, and our receipt of more than 150 orders for the CJ4 further motivates us to meet our aggressive goals," said CJ4 Program Manager Norm Baker. "We are on track for type certification in the second half of 2009, followed by customer deliveries beginning in the first half of 2010."

The Citation CJ4 is an upward extension of the single-pilot-certified CJ family – delivering the strongest performance and payload balance in the series along with advanced amenities and system architecture.

Configurable for seven to eight passengers in the main cabin, the aircraft is expected to have a maximum speed of 435 knots, a full fuel payload of 1,000 pounds and maximum payload of 2,100 pounds, 300 additional pounds compared to the typical CJ3.

The newly engineered wing of the Citation CJ4 is moderately swept. Some features of the wing are similar to the Citation Sovereign, including the three upper speed brake panels on each wing, which allow the airplane to have the short field performance for which the CJ series is known. The CJ4 can takeoff from runways as short as 3,300 feet and land on runways as short as 2,665 feet.

The new Williams International FJ44-4A electronically controlled (FADEC) engine will debut on the Citation CJ4. The twin engines each provide 3,400 pounds of thrust, compared to 2,820 pounds of the CJ3’s FJ44-3A. The aircraft will be certified for operations up to 45,000 feet. The electric rudder, pitch and aileron trim are new features, as is single-point refueling for the aircraft.

The CJ4 will incorporate the Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite with four 8-by-10 inch flat screen displays, as well as the purpose-built Rockwell Collins next generation cabin management system, Venue. Venue features a digital, high-definition media center that integrates a wide variety of entertainment and mapping capabilities into a light weight, cost-effective and maintenance friendly system. The software architecture is database driven, enabling quick changes through the use of a new configuration tool and redundant processing to keep the system performing.

 Orlando, FL 16 October 2006 – Williams International has been selected to supply its FJ44-3 engine for Clifford Development’s supplemental type certification of the Citation II. This selection confirms the substantial retrofit opportunity made possible for the performance of the Williams FJ44-3.

 “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to add the remarkable Williams FJ44-3 engine to the versatile Citation II. This combines the best-in-class engine technology with a proven airframe yielding significant gains in performance, reliability and safety margins,” said Jim Clifford, chief executive officer of Clifford Development. “The FJ44-powered Citation II will fly 21% faster and 29% farther, climb 34% faster, and use 20% less fuel than the original airplane. For a Citation II operator whose airplane is near engine overhauls, the improvements in fuel efficiency and speed combined with reduced engine maintenance costs will allow for the recovery of this investment in two years of typical operation.”

 The FJ44-3 engine currently powers the Cessna CJ3 and Grob SPn, and the Citation II will be one of its first retrofit applications. “We felt sure that once a 3000-pound thrust FJ44 was certified and in production, the retrofit market would embrace it,” said Matt Huff, vice president of Business Development for Williams, “and that’s what we’re seeing. Cessna built more than 800 Citation IIs in the 1980s, and these excellent airframes are ideal candidates for modern, efficient, quiet turbofans to extend their operating lives.”

 FJ44 engines are renowned for their high performance and rugged reliability. They boast many advanced features pioneered by Williams and now being adopted by others in the small turbine industry such as blisks (integral blades and disks), effusion-cooled combustors, low parts count, and full authority digital engine controls (FADEC). They are also modular in design, allowing quick assembly, disassembly, and maintenance. Williams’ highly acclaimed Total Assurance Program will be offered for the FJ44-3 engines installed in the Citation II.

Piper’s first entry into the jet market to be powered by the proven Williams FJ44 engine

Williams International has been selected as the engine supplier for Piper’s new sport utility jet that was recently revealed to the public. The FJ44-3AP is a very close derivative of the FJ44-3A engine that powers the Cessna CJ3 and Grob SPn, incorporating minor aerodynamic improvements to further boost fuel economy.

“The PiperJet is a revolutionary new aircraft combining performance, style, utility, capability and pricing,” said James K. Bass, President & CEO of Piper Aircraft. “In choosing the powerplant for the PiperJet, we were looking for that perfect blend of performance, safety and reliability, and the Williams FJ44-3AP will not only meet expectations, it will surpass them.” 

John Becker, Piper’s Vice President of Engineering, underscored that Piper wanted an engine with sufficient capability to provide stellar performance now and sufficient power for future applications.

“We looked hard at Williams’ lineup of proven FJ44 models,” he said. “Piper chose a 3000-pound thrust FJ44-3 model, de-rated for the PiperJet, because this engine gives us superb performance margins for the approximately 2,400 pounds of take-off thrust we have targeted for the PiperJet as well as a built-in growth path for the family of jets we envision.”

“We are very proud to be part of Piper’s team as they enter the jet market,” said Gregg Williams, president and CEO of Williams International. “Williams has been powering and promoting light jets for two decades, and I’m glad to say we’re now powering one for Piper. Every lesson we’ve learned in 2.5 million FJ44 flight hours has been applied to this engine, so Piper is assured of the performance and reliability we promise.”

“The FJ44-3AP is our most efficient engine yet,” said Matt Huff, vice president of Business Development for Williams, “and thanks to all our prior field experience, as well as reduced operating temperatures, it has a TBO of 4,000 hours.”

FJ44 engines are renowned for their high performance and rugged reliability. They boast many advanced features pioneered by Williams and now being adopted by others in the turbine industry such as blisks (integral blades and disks), effusion-cooled combustors, low parts count, and full authority digital engine controls (FADEC). They are also modular in design, allowing quick assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.

Williams International is the world leader in small turbine engines and customer support, with headquarters in Commerce Township, Michigan, and a design-to-production facility in Ogden, Utah. For more information about the company, its products, and support, please visit www.williams-int.com.

 Orlando, FL (17 October 2006) – The selection of Williams International and its FJ33-4A-19 engine for “the-jet by CIRRUS” was revealed at NBAA today. The reliability and performance of Williams’ engines were key factors in the selection, as was Williams’ extensive experience integrating its engines into more than a dozen light jets.

 The FJ33 is a direct scale of the FJ44, so Cirrus enjoys the benefits of developing and certifying their new jet around a proven basic engine design. FJ44 engines are renowned for their high performance and rugged reliability, which have been demonstrated in more than 2.5 million flight hours.

 “Safety is important to us at Cirrus, along with providing our owners with high customer value,” said Alan Klapmeier, CEO and Chairman of Cirrus.  “The reliability record of Williams’ turbofan family was one of the critical factors in partnering with Williams International.  We also considered thrust-to-weight, the engine’s fuel economy, and the availability of excellent customer service for our owners as part of our decision making.” 

 “Being chosen to power the-jet by CIRRUS is confirmation of the large increase in customer value that this newest version of our FJ33 offers to the marketplace,” said Gregg Williams, president and CEO of Williams International. “The new FJ33-4A-19 produces about 1900 lbs of takeoff thrust, still weighs less than 300 lbs, is extremely efficient, and will have the lowest noise and exhaust emissions levels in the industry.”

 “Thrust-to-weight and fuel economy are two sides of the efficiency coin,” according to Matt Huff, vice president of Business Development for Williams. “The FJ33 excels at both. Cirrus takes advantage of this unique combination to yield aircraft characteristics that we believe will have a major impact on the personal aviation marketplace.”

 Advanced features pioneered by Williams and now being adopted by others in the turbine industry include: blisks (integral blades and disks), effusion-cooled combustors, low parts count, and full authority digital engine controls (FADEC). Williams’ engines also are modular in design, allowing quick assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.

 Orlando, FL – 16 October 2006 - Earlier this year, Williams International began performing hot section inspections (check 3) on installed FJ44-1A engines.  This approach reduced downtime for FJ44-1A Operators, so Williams will be expanding this service in the future to other FJ44 engine models.

 “Although we continue to be voted Number One in customer support,” said Gregg Williams, president and CEO of Williams International, “we at Williams are always evaluating our processes for ways to improve customer service and increase customer satisfaction. And our Product Support people came up with several this year.”

 “We began by reducing the turnaround time for engine hot section inspections in our repair station to an average of 5 days,” said Frank Smith, vice president of Product Support for Williams. “That’s fast enough for most customers, especially if they are having major airplane service done at the same time. But sometimes customers need engines turned faster, so we began sending rapid response teams into the field to perform hot sections on wing.”

This new service is already available for FJ44-1A engines at three Cessna Service Centers: Sacramento, CA; Wichita, KS, and Orlando, FL. This service will be expanded to Europe in 2007. The modular design of the FJ44 engine enables a pair of engines to be serviced on wing in as little as two shifts, making it practical for an operator to separately schedule engine maintenance and airplane maintenance if desired. Operators who have a hot section coming due and are interested in this option may contact one of these Service Centers or Williams International Product Support to schedule.

“Although we’ve always had a 24/7 hotline where customers can get answers to their questions,” added Smith, “we’ve also introduced another way for customers to ask us questions.” Williams recently activated a new Customer Help system that is accessible through the web. This system allows operators to ask questions, search for answers to resolved questions, and track the status of their inquiries. Operators can go directly to productsupport.custhelp.com and create an account, or they can reach the site via the Questions/Inquiries link on Williams’ regular Product Support web site. Operators may also e-mail questions and comments to WI Product Support at WIproductsupport@williams-int.com.

Diamond Aircraft has selected a newer, higher nominal thrust engine in the same Williams engine family for the D-JET – the FJ33-4A-19.

The engine's advantages include several technological advances that result in better bleed air handling and improved specific fuel consumption. With a 1,900-lb nominal thrust versus 1,564 lbs for the originally planned FJ33-4A-15, the ‘FJ33-19' also offers a potential future performance upgrade path for the D-JET. Williams International's accelerated development schedule of the FJ33-19 has made it viable to proactively launch D-JET deliveries with this engine rather than reactively introducing it at a later date in response to competitive pressures.

"The FJ33-19 engine is the perfect match for the D-JET, offering the latest technology and a potential performance and utility upgrade path for delivered aircraft that the current engine just doesn't allow. While making this change now rather than later means that initial deliveries will now be in Q2, 2009, we are confident this is the right choice and in the interest of all D-JET customers, as it ensures one configuration and maximum resale value for all delivered aircraft," said Peter Maurer, President of Diamond Aircraft.

Diamond will deliver the FJ33-19-equipped aircraft to current position holders at the contracted price; however, the company announced that a price increase for future orders is expected shortly.

"The FJ33-19 is the very latest in turbofan engine technology and offers unique features never before available on a smaller turbofan engine," explained Matt Huff, Vice President of Business Development at Williams International. "We are pleased that our accelerated development schedule for this engine now makes it feasible for Diamond to launch with the FJ33-19, instead of introducing it after initial aircraft deliveries. Every D-JET customer will now benefit from technological advances, such as the built-in pre-cooler and new compressor technology."