Innovative Design Efforts Lead to Increased Customization Opportunities

Each aircraft tells its own story. It has its own mission and carries its own purpose. What starts as a blank canvas, ultimately gives owners a chance to see their ideas come to life. From the outside paint scheme to the most intricate detail in the interior stitching pattern, the aircraft that is created is one of a kind.

Much like each finished aircraft, the journey to achieve this level of personalization is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; however, the one constant is the team of dedicated designers and engineers at Textron Aviation guiding you every step of the way.

"In terms of personalization opportunity, I like the place we are at right now," shared Shelby Page, Interior Design Manager at Textron Aviation. "It is more fun from a design perspective because there is more time to personalize, there can be multiple renderings and there's no feeling of a rushed decision. You can really put your stamp on it."

Page notes that what starts with an initial conversation about color palettes and swatches quickly becomes a working partnership with one goal in mind. Allison Placzek, Senior Interior Designer, agrees.

"I want you to be excited about it, I want you to feel like it is yours and you customized it to fit what you wanted." Allison Placzek, Sr. Interior Designer

The pair says this process requires communication and flexibility to be successful. The design is kickstarted at the initial spec session, where the interior design team gains an understanding of each customer's individual vision, style and taste, but there isn't a need to bring anything to the table right away.

"Customers don't need to come with any materials or any specific color scheme," Placzek said. "We like them to come with an open mind, but if they do have ideas, it is great to know those up front so we can have things prepared."

As Cessna® Citation® jet cabins have evolved, the design of the interiors has advanced as well. High-quality materials such as Italian leather, silks, and natural wool fibers keep passengers comfortable inside the cabin and boast sustainable benefits without sacrificing quality or luxury.

However, the range of cabin customization is not limited to fabrics and materials. With the attitude of collaboration and experience of team members who know these products inside and out, customers can dream big.

"We love saying yes. The more we can say yes, the more fun our job is. It is more rewarding to be able to say, 'Yes, we can do that.'" Shelby Page, Interior Design Manager

"We have so many different groups at our disposal to be able to customize things. It could be a unique cabinetry configuration or a unique couch. We have the access to the original engineering and people who have worked here for 20 or 30 years who did the last two iterations," Page recalled. "It means we know the product better than anyone."

Understanding the magnitude of these choices, the design team knows changes could occur. If they do, they are ready. Any adjustment in the design process highlights the number of people working on an aircraft.

"It is usually a group effort," Page described.

Placzek agrees, adding, "It is incredible to step back and see how many people's hands touch something. If we are working on a custom detail, there might be 30 people that are working on that same detail. It is not just me."

The attention to detail from a team is what aircraft owners have come to expect at Textron Aviation. It is a standard that has been showcased for decades, not only in the interior process but throughout the creation of an aircraft and beyond.

"I want them to see themselves in it for a long time--something they are going to be happy with in the long haul," Page explained. "I want it to be something they are comfortable in, kind of a home away from home, and I think that personalization aspect helps get us there."