Cessna Throws Down The Gauntlet In The High-Performance Piston Airplane Game

Aero-Note: Since this program appeared last spring, much has changed. Cessna retired Jack Pelton... while Cirrus Aircraft, who used to eat Cessna's lunch in this market has imploded and appears to be heading for even more trouble. All that being the case... will the Corvalis TTX become the leading edge for the high-end GA piston market? Hmmmm.... -- Jim Campbell, ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief

The battle for supremacy among the high performance piston aircraft market just got a great deal more interesting. Cessna has revamped the Corvalis line in announcements that were made this week with inducements that include the latest Garmin flight deck... technology based on the upcoming G3000 touchscreen flight deck control and display system. Cessna has confirmed that its new Corvalis TTX high-performance single-engine piston features new standard and optional equipment, all-new interior and paint scheme options, and the Intrinzic flight deck powered by the Garmin G2000.

The Intrinzic’s G2000 avionics suite is centered on two 14-inch wide aspect ratio, high-resolution LED displays and an infrared, touch-screen controller. The touch-screen controller reacts to changes in an infrared grid rather than traditional surface resistance sensors for better response under a variety of conditions. The Garmin GTC 570 controller allows multi-function display page navigation as well as audio and environmental control.

Standard features include a remote mounted digital audio panel with improved squelch and noise immunity, dual AHRS, a GFC 700 auto flight control system, Garmin’s GTS800 traffic system, Garmin’s GTX 33ES transponder with provisions for ADS-B In and Out capability, and Garmin’s Electronic Stability Protection to help a pilot maintain stable flight and help prevent the onset of stalls, spins, overspeeds and more.

The Corvalis TTX also features the L-3 Trilogy glass panel standby instrument system making it the first Cessna piston with no analog instruments. A standard pulse oximeter is available to monitor pilot blood-oxygen levels, displaying the readings on the MFD.

Interior appointments are also enhanced with the Corvalis TTX with four new interior schemes — Stealth, Tranquility, Classic and Twilight — featuring Citation-grade leather. Responding to customer input, the Corvalis TTX is approved for operation with the rear seats removed for more carrying capacity. Cessna is offering two new exterior paint designs and will feature a DuPont Clearcoat application. All exterior designs are painted — no decals.

The TTX is capable of a maximum cruise speed of 235 knots. The four-seat composite aircraft has a range of 1,250 nm and is powered by a Continental TSIO-550-C six-cylinder, fuel-injected, twin turbocharged engine with dual intercoolers. New for the TTX will be a five-year parts and labor warranty on the engine. Cessna will begin delivery of the Corvalis TTX in the Second Quarter of 2012.

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