Civil Air Patrol Expands Fleet With 15 New Cessna Aircraft to Support Lifesaving and Community Missions

Core Insights - Textron Aviation Inc. announced an order from Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for 15 additional piston-engine aircraft, including seven Cessna Skyhawk 172 and eight Cessna Skylane 182 models, scheduled for delivery throughout 2026, expanding CAP's fleet to over 500 Cessna aircraft nationwide [1][3] Company Overview - Textron Aviation has been a leader in aviation for over 95 years, producing a wide range of aircraft including business jets, turboprops, and special mission products, and has a comprehensive aviation product portfolio [5] - The company is known for its reliability, versatility, and performance, serving customers in over 170 countries [5] Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Operations - CAP operates as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary and provides critical services including search and rescue, disaster relief, and support for military operations, leveraging a versatile fleet of aircraft and trained volunteers [10][11] - In 2025, CAP completed over 400 search and rescue missions, logged more than 100,000 flying hours, and recorded over 200 finds, demonstrating its effectiveness in emergency response [7] Aircraft Performance and Mission Support - Cessna aircraft are recognized for their reliability and versatility, making them suitable for various special missions including air ambulance, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and utility transport [3][4] - CAP's new aircraft order is aimed at enhancing its ability to respond quickly and effectively to community needs, showcasing the importance of reliable aviation solutions in critical operations [2][4]