Wichita, Kan., February 8, 2007 – Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the appointment of Jim Pitman as regional manager of the Cessna Pilot Centers’ western territory, replacing James Hackman who is retiring. Pitman will be based in Phoenix and report to Brumley Smith, Cessna Pilot Centers (CPC) manager.

Pitman, currently the chief flight instructor for Westwind School of Aeronautics in Phoenix, assumes his role on February 26. Hackman will stay on during a transition period until June.
“We are excited to have someone of Jim Pitman’s experience heading our western CPC region, one of the most active in the country,” Smith said. “Jim Hackman has done an outstanding job during his 10-year tenure to build this region and strengthen our network of CPC affiliates.”

Pitman has more than 3,200 total flight hours and 2,700 hours training students (dual flight instruction given). He is ATP rated, is a Master Flight Instructor (NAFI), Gold Seal Flight Instructor and Cessna FITS Authorized Instructor, and he serves on a number of industry training and safety councils. He was named 2006 Arizona Flight Instructor of the year.

Hackman holds a number of ratings and has been a certified flight instructor since 1962, accumulating more than 15,000 flight hours. He currently serves as the chairman of the Flight Training Committee of the National Air Transportation Association. He was named winner of the 2000 NATA Excellence in Pilot Training Award.

Cessna Pilot Centers are a network of 286 independently owned flight schools around the world who partner with Cessna to provide flight training. The individual CPCs use Cessna’s training curriculum and Cessna 172 aircraft as part of their training programs. The average time to complete the Private pilot license using the Cessna curricula is almost 30% less than the national average.

CPC regional managers are charged with supporting the individual centers in building their student base and thus, maintaining a flow of well-trained pilots into the industry.