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Cessna’s Jack Pelton Receives EAA’s Freedom of Flight Award

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

July 30, 2008

thomas

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 30, 2008 – Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack J. Pelton received the 2008 Freedom of Flight award last night during the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual week-long gathering – AirVenture 2008.

The award is EAA’s highest honor, bestowed annually to an individual whose contributions to aviation closely mirror the integrity, entrepreneurship and innovativeness of EAA members.

“We are honored to present this award to Jack for his long-time involvement in aviation and with EAA, especially in relation to his vision for light sport aircraft through the Cessna SkyCatcher, which will create a paradigm change in aviation training,” EAA President Tom Poberezny said.

Pelton joined Cessna, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, in November 2000 as senior vice president of product engineering and oversaw Cessna’s engineering and product development activities. He was named president and chief executive officer in 2003 and added the title of chairman in 2005.

Under Pelton’s leadership, Cessna turned in its best financial performance ever with 2007 sales of $5 billion and has increased the company’s backlog to a record $16 billion through the first half of 2008. His work has spurred the company into new markets with the introduction of the Citation Columbus large-cabin, long-range business jet; the SkyCatcher light sport aircraft; and the expansion of Cessna’s single-engine product line with the acquisition of the Cessna 350 and 400 high-performance, composite aircraft. Also during his tenure, Cessna has accomplished seven new aircraft certifications.

Pelton also has been a voice for industry issues, championing a Kansas state measure to establish a regional aviation training facility and acting as a national leader in the fight against new fees on business aviation. He also has devoted time to youth outreach, working to counter the trend of declining pilot starts.

In March, Pelton was named winner of the 2008 AVIATION WEEK Laurel for Business and General Aviation, among the aerospace industry’s most prestigious awards and presented annually for more than 50 years to recognize professional excellence.

As an EAA Lifetime member, Pelton belongs to the EAA Warbirds, Vintage and International Aerobatic clubs. He is chairman of the Gathering of Eagles, which promotes Young Eagles and other EAA programs that inspire youth involvement in aviation. He also supports numerous grass roots activities to expose youth to aviation, including the Build A Plane organization that gives young people the opportunity to build real airplanes.

Pelton holds a commercial pilot’s license with instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings. He also holds type ratings in several Cessna Citation business jets, including the Citation X, the world’s fastest civil airplane.
He owns single engine aircraft, including a Ryan PT22, Citabria, Cessna 195 and 206. The 195, the last one produced, was recently acquired from Velma Wallace, wife of Dwane Wallace, who helped his uncle Clyde Cessna build the business and led Cessna as CEO for decades. Dwane displayed the 195 at AirVenture in the 1980s. After Pelton restored the plane, it was on display again at AirVenture 2007, where it won a Bronze Lindy. EAA’s aircraft awards are recognized worldwide as the most prestigious for aircraft construction and restoration.

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