April 27, 2005

 

Wichita, KS—April 27, 2005—Yingling Aviation, a Cessna dealer since 1946, broke ground today on a new completions hangar at its Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport site.  The 15,500 square foot facility, which will accommodate Yingling’s Cessna Caravan Oasis interior operations, is expected to be finished by November of this year.  Officials from Cessna Aircraft Company, including Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Jack Pelton, joined Yingling CEO Lynn Nichols and members of Yingling’s management staff in a brief ceremony marking the occasion.

“It’s not a stretch to say that this expansion of our facilities is directly tied to growth in the general aviation marketplace,” noted Lynn Nichols, president of Yingling Aviation during the groundbreaking ceremony.   “We’ve seen a resurgence in the economy and in orders for Caravans with the Oasis executive interior over the past year and we’re confident that it will continue.  The increased activity virtually obligated us to expand our capacity to accommodate it because the other facets of our business—parts, maintenance, avionics installations and line service—have also grown.

“We’re very appreciative of Cessna’s involvement in our performance, and in this expansion.  Their support, as a marketing partner, in this project, is extremely significant.  They are doing an excellent job of marketing the Oasis interior on the Caravan, resulting in increased sales volume and a win-win-win scenario for everyone involved in the Oasis program—Cessna, Yingling, and the end customers,” he added.

“The relationship between Yingling and Cessna goes back to the beginning of our dealer network,” Mr. Pelton pointed out.  “It has always been mutually beneficial.  The Caravan Oasis interior completions program, which will be housed in this new hangar, is just another example of how we have worked together over the years.  The exceptional quality and efficiency Yingling has provided in outfitting Caravans with the executive interior have given a boost to our marketing efforts for the airplanes.  This program has exceeded everyone’s expectations, and it continues to grow.   We’re pleased to play a part in helping Yingling meet the increasing demand,” he concluded.

Yingling expects to hire up to 15 additional upholsterers, avionics technicians and installers to meet increased schedule demands for 2005.  “We’re forecasting 19 units this year and more than 20 next year,” Nichols said.

The new hangar will include a 3,500 square foot upholstery shop as well as a showroom, reception area and employee break room.  The additional 15,500 square feet of space will bring Yingling’s overall hangar and office capacity to approximately 72,000 square feet situated on 26 acres along the west side of Wichita Mid-Continent Airport’s 7,300 foot Runway 1 Right/19 Left.

Yingling began completing Caravans with Oasis interiors in 2003 and has delivered more than 30, to date.  The standard Oasis package, which includes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified executive style seating, cabinetry, entertainment systems, floor panels, headliners, and soundproofing, is priced at $168,000.  Available options can increase the price to more than $225,000.

Yingling’s new completions hangar is part of the first tenant redevelopment project at Mid-Continent Airport since it opened in 1954.  The new building was designed by Gordon and Associates Architects of Winfield, KS and is being built by Conco Construction.

 

About Yingling

 

Yingling is a full-service fixed base operation providing 24 hour line services at Mid-Continent Airport (ICT) in Wichita, KS.  A Cessna Authorized Service Center for nearly 60 years, Yingling is the largest Cessna parts supplier in the world.  By leveraging its proximity to the factory, Yinging offers fast worldwide delivery and competitive pricing, with A.O.G. orders received before 11:30 AM shipped the same day.  Yingling’s European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA)-certified aircraft maintenance department performs annuals, repairs, servicing and pre-purchase evaluation for all aircraft, specializing in turbine and twin inspections.

A Cessna Pilot Center with state of the art computer-based instruction for primary, instrument and advance ratings, Yingling also offers charter service featuring single, multi-engine and turbine aircraft and a rental fleet available to qualified pilots.  In addition, the firm provides professional sales representation for buyers and sellers of pre-owned aircraft.  Yingling is an authorized partner for most major brands of avionics, offering instrument and autopilot upgrades, installations, repairs and panel reconfigurations.

Cessna has also selected Yingling to design and build executive-style Oasis interiors for its line of Caravan single-engine turboprops.  Yingling was the first fixed base operator to be named an authorized Cessna dealer in 1946 and was also the first to be designated a Cessna Propjet dealer in 1976.

With more than 70 employees dedicated to serving customers, a spacious pilot’s lounge, and an outstanding selection of equipment, specialty items, and gifts at its Aviator’s Attic, Yingling can provide exceptional hospitality and service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Yingling Aviation can be reached by calling (316) 943-3246 or on the web at yinglingaviation.com.

Yingling Aviation and Cessna Aircraft Company officials broke ground on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at Yingling’s Wichita Mid-Continent Airport site for a new 15,500 square foot completions hangar to accommodate the installation of the Oasis business interior in Cessna’s Caravan single-engine turboprop.  From left to right are:

Cessna Executive VP and CFO Mike Shonka; J.D. Donatelli, Cessna’s Director of  Caravan Contract Administration; John Doman, Cessna VP of Propeller Aircraft Sales;  Tom Wakefield, Cessna VP and Chief Counsel;  Jack Pelton, Cessna Chairman, President and CEO;  Lynn Nichols, President and CEO of Yingling Aviation;  Glenn Hughes, Caravan customer and CEO of Hughes Construction in St. Lake City, UT;  Lonnie Vaughan, CFO of Yingling;  Angie Jackson, Manager of Yingling’s Oasis Interiors Program; Todd Hughes, Hughes Construction; George Kolb, City Manager of Wichita; and Tom Nolan, interim Director of Airports for the City of Wichita.