CAP Fleet Adds New Aircraft

Civil Air Patrol is adding five Cessna Skyhawks, one Cessna Skylane, and one Cessna Turbo Stationair HD from Textron Aviation Inc. to its fleet.

The seven aircraft will join a fleet of 540 Cessnas owned and operated by CAP — the world’s largest Cessna piston aircraft operator.  In addition, CAP awarded Textron Aviation a contract in September for the further acquisition of 14 Skyhawk 172s and one Skylane 182T.

“Civil Air Patrol is thrilled to welcome these new Cessna aircraft to the world’s largest fleet of single-engine piston aircraft,” said Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, CAP’s national commander/CEO.

“CAP is proud to continue to partner with Textron Aviation as we utilize their outstanding products in executing complex and varied missions for America,” Phelka said.

“From search and rescue to disaster relief and homeland security, the missions CAP undertakes daily are as broad as their footprint across the U.S.,” said Bob Gibbs, Textron Aviation vice president, special missions sales. “We are honored that Cessna aircraft continue to be the organization’s platform of choice for these crucial operations.

 “The Cessna piston aircraft fleet is renowned in general aviation for its operating costs, performance and durability, all important factors for an organization supporting a variety of communities throughout the country,” Gibbs said.