Airshow China: Textron Aviation in big Zhuhai push, Daher-Socata Hoping To Be Awarded More G500, G600 Work

Textron Aviation has a strong presence at this year’s Airshow China in Zhuhai, featuring four aircraft on static display. The US company has brought four different types to the show: a Cessna Citation XLS+ business jet (making its first appearance at the show), a Beechcraft 350i turboprop, a Cessna Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprop, and a Beechcraft Baron G58 twin-engine piston aircraft. The company states that its presence in China is gradually expanding, and its two joint ventures with the China Aviation General Aircraft Company (CAIGA) are progressing well.

Textron used the show to deliver the first two Citation XLS+ jets to emerge from its Zhuhai facility, primarily involved in the assembly, painting, testing, interior installation, and customization of aircraft delivered from the USA.

Daher-Socata hopes to be tapped for more work packages on the recently announced Gulfstream G500 and G600 beyond its commitment to making main landing gear doors for the new large-cabin jets. Gulfstream “has been happy with our first deliveries and may award us other aerostructures by year-end,” Daher group marketing director Vincent Chanron told AIN. These other potential work packages were originally assigned to an unidentified supplier that Gulfstream is now dissatisfied with, he said…