The Kansas-based company is joining with state-owned Aviation Industry Corp. of China and the municipal government of Chengdu in western China, where the three plan a joint venture to produce midsize Cessna business jets and possibly new models in the future.

Cessna's press release says the deals announced Friday "pave the way for a range of business jets, utility single-engine turboprops and single-engine piston aircraft to be manufactured and certified in China."

China is seen as the most promising major market for the aviation industry.

Scott Donnelly, chief executive officer of Cessna's owner, Textron (TXT), declined to comment on Cessna's projections for the Chinese market, only saying he expected "very, very robust" growth because of China's growing economy and diverse geography.

So far, China's private jet market has been dominated by Bombardier and Gulfstream, which make larger jets than Cessna's small and medium-size aircraft.

Cessna officials on Friday said there are about 200 Cessna aircraft in China.


China will copy and appropriate all the IP Cessna has ever dreamed up. First the Skcatcher now the whole kit and kabottle
Once Cessna goes to the dark side all the others will have to follow. I see no coming back to USA manufacturing.

Thanks Obama

+1

Gee, I sure love this hope and change. I just hope I don't have to stand on a corner in China hoping someone will give me some change.

My Bonanza was made in Wichita and I'm keeping it forever.

Funny no one is talking about Beechcraft going Chapter 11 any moment!!!

The sad thing is we give away all the technology and the jobs. Anything of value will be made in places other than the US. We sure can't expect any help from the Big "0"

I hate this, too, but to be fair I'd just point out that pre-Boeing the MD90 (717) was built in China under a licensing agreement. I'm not positive, but some of these might be flying for Delta, now. I just read that Embraer is going to build the Legacy over there, too.

Beechs from Mexico. Cessnas from China. Cirrus, TCM, Brantly -- all owned by companies in the PRC. The whole industry is swirling the drain.

Building airplanes is a complex manufacturing process. It requires lots of high paid skilled workers. Are we falling behind the rest of the World in skilled workers? I think the trend is becoming clear. Once we lose the skilled worker force it will be gone for a very long time.

this is not about skilled workers, or the president. It more like you can get workers to build airplanes over there for 400$ a month. That number is what Foxconn is payingskilled workers to assemble computers and that is after two raises, the last being 25%.

All in the name of "free trade", "get competitive", and "globalization" we are farming out our manufacturing to people who are more desperate than us. Someday China will be too expensive as well.

It requires lots of skilled workers. They only have to be highly paid in the US, which is why these jobs are heading overseas.

Then they's move production to Elbonia?

+1

Fact: Americans tolerate (crave?) cheap junk for low prices (Wal-Mart mentality)
Fact: Americans don't tolerate any depreciation of their lifestyle.
Fact: Politicians are elected by Americans
Conclusion: Elected politicians will promote countries making cheap junk so long as it doesn't degrade consumerism in the US.

I'm not a fan of BO's big government ideas. The fact is, however, Americans are the root cause of the mass exodus of jobs, technology and competitiveness.

Shameless Plug: I'm running for president on the "Take Personal Responsibility" platform. Vote for me!

[Short and sweet, no rants.]

Nick

Fact: Americans tolerate (crave?) cheap junk for low prices (Wal-Mart mentality)
Fact: Americans don't tolerate any depreciation of their lifestyle.
Fact: Politicians are elected by Americans
Conclusion: Elected politicians will promote countries making cheap junk so long as it doesn't degrade consumerism in the US.

I'm not a fan of BO's big government ideas. The fact is, however, Americans are the root cause of the mass exodus of jobs, technology and competitiveness.

Shameless Plug: I'm running for president on the "Take Personal Responsibility" platform. Vote for me!

[Short and sweet, no rants.]

Nick