Two Planes Will Replace Citation Vs

Representatives with Cessna tell ANN the Turkish government recently ordered two XLS aircraft, to be used by the DHMI (General Directorate of State Airports Authority) to inspect airport navigation aids.

DHMI began using two Citation V aircraft for special mission purposes in 1993, which will now be replaced by the new XLS aircraft.

Prior to delivery in 2009, the aircraft will be modified to include special flight inspection calibration equipment produced by NSM (Norwegian Special Missions). NSM is a subsidiary of Sundt Air, which is also a long time Cessna Citation operator.

"The Citation XLS represents an excellent platform for flight inspection and carries on the tradition of the Citation V previously operated by the DHMI in Turkey for the same mission," said Trevor Esling, vice president, international sales at Cessna Aircraft Company. "We are delighted that the DHMI has decided to maintain its use of Citations for flight inspection special missions."

The XLS travels up to 440 knots, has a range of more than 1,800 nautical miles, climbs direct to 45,000 feet in 29 minutes and can land on runways as short as 3,560 feet. The 560 series began with the Citation XL, which was granted Federal Aviation Administration type certification in April 1998. The XL received a block point change in 2004 and became the XLS.

Cessna delivered 73 XLS aircraft in 2006, the most out of the current line of eight Citation jets.

EMAIR, Cessna's authorized sales representative for Turkey, assisted the planemaker in the sale. EMAIR is the only authorized sales representative of Cessna Citation business jets and single engine aircraft in Turkey.

During its 30 years in business, EMAIR has delivered more than 200 Cessna aircraft -- approximately 40 of which were Citation business jets -- to government, military and private customers in the region.

FMI: www.cessna.com, www.ans.dhmi.gov.tr/AIP1/main.html