Cessna announced an order from the U.S. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for 21 Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft.
The Skyhawks, produced at the company’s facility in Independence, Kansas will be delivered throughout the first half of 2015, replacing older models in CAP’s fleet.
CAP, a federally chartered non-profit organization and designated by Congress in 1948 as the Air Force auxiliary, performs services for the federal government and for states and local communities such as search-and-rescue and disaster relief.
The new CAP Skyhawks will feature Garmin G1000 avionics suite and will be equipped for glider towing.
The CAP operates a fleet of 550 aircraft, most of which are Skyhawks and Cessna Skylane 182 piston aircraft. It also operates 46 gliders.
The Cessna 172 is a four seat, single engine, high wing, fixed- wing aircraft first flown in 1955. It is the most produced aircraft in the world.
CAP consists of more than 58,000 volunteer members that include 8,800 aircrew and 30,500 emergency responders trained to U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency standards.
CAP contributed some $158 million worth of man-hours to local communities.
