Civil Air Patrol has ordered 21 additional Cessna piston aircraft from Textron Aviation to support emergency response, training and community missions across the United States. The order, placed in Independence, Kansas, comprises Skyhawk, Skylane and Stationair models, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2027.
The purchase includes seven Cessna Skyhawk 172s, 11 Cessna Skylane 182s, two Cessna Turbo Skylane T182Ts and one Cessna Turbo Stationair HD 206. The mix adds basic training aircraft, higher-performance singles and a utility-oriented aircraft to CAP’s operational fleet.
CAP leaders Maj. Gen. Regena Aye and Brig. Gen. R. Jason Bailey toured Textron Aviation’s Cessna piston assembly facility in Independence, where the aircraft are manufactured. CAP, the US Air Force’s civilian auxiliary, uses its aircraft for search and rescue, disaster response, pilot training and youth programmes, and is the world’s largest Cessna operator.
The order will expand and modernise CAP’s existing single-engine fleet while providing a production commitment across four Cessna piston variants through 2027. Textron Aviation did not disclose the value of the purchase, model-by-model delivery schedule or the CAP units that will receive the aircraft.