Cessna Aircraft Company's Citation Mustang received Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) from the FAA Thursday, a significant step toward certification and first customer delivery in late 2006. TIA signals the FAA's approval for the Mustang prototype to begin accumulating flight hours that will apply toward official certification.

"The Mustang prototype and serial number one have made more than 290 flights, accruing more than 490 hours. In addition, the fatigue test article has completed two lifetimes (30,000 hours) of testing with no damage to the aircraft structure," said Russ Meyer III, Mustang Program Manager.

"This is recognized by the FAA as the baseline to prove the durability of an airplane, and we will continue testing to five lifetimes (75,000 hours)."

Because of the availability of on-site testing facilities, Cessna's testing programs are known for accumulating more hours on its airplanes and test articles prior to certification than any other aircraft manufacturer.

"Our goal for achieving TIA was January 2006, so we are pleased to receive this designation several weeks early, keeping us on schedule for certification and first customer deliveries," Meyer said.

The Mustang is slated to be the 27th airplane Cessna has certified in a decade, more than any other airplane company. The Citation Mustang was announced at the 2002 NBAA convention.

Cessna currently has orders for more than 230 aircraft. The six-seat business jet will be certified as a single-pilot, FAR Part 23 aircraft, with a cruise speed of 340 KTAS, and maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet.

FMI: www.cessna.com