Civil Air Patrol has ordered 21 additional Cessna piston aircraft from Textron Aviation to support emergency response, flight training and community missions across the United States. The order, placed with the manufacturer’s Cessna operation in Independence, Kansas, includes Skyhawk, Skylane and Stationair aircraft, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2027.
The purchase comprises seven Cessna Skyhawk 172s, 11 Cessna Skylane 182s, two Turbo Skylane T182Ts and one Turbo Stationair HD 206. The aircraft will be used for searches for missing people, disaster response, joint training and aerospace education for young people.
CAP national commander and chief executive Maj. Gen. Regena Aye and Brig. Gen. R. Jason Bailey toured the Cessna piston-aircraft assembly facility in Independence during the announcement.
The nonprofit organisation, which serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the US Air Force, operates the world’s largest Cessna fleet. Its 543 single-engine aircraft are used by about 72,000 members at 1,424 locations nationwide. CAP’s emergency-services network also employs ground teams, small uncrewed aircraft systems, radar analysis and cellphone forensics.
The order’s value, delivery sequence and allocation among CAP units were not disclosed. It is also not clear whether the aircraft will replace specific existing airframes or expand individual unit fleets.