Cessna, Bell sales down in first quarter

This was to be the year of bouncing along the bottom of the recession trough, and that has proven to be the case in business jet sales during the first quarter.

Cessna Aircraft Co. revenues decreased $336 million because of lower volumes, primarily reflecting the delivery of 31 Citation jets in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 69 jets last year. Cessna backlog at the end of the first quarter was $4.1 billion, a decline of $820 million from the end of last year.

Bell Helicopter revenues decreased $124 million in the first quarter because of lower sales volume. Bell backlog at the end of the first quarter was $6.9 billion, down slightly from the end of last year.