Company Gives Program Update At EBACE

Cessna is making progress on two key lineup additions for their family of Citation business jets, the company said during a program update at EBACE in Geneva, Switzerland. The Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude programs are both meeting performance and technical objectives, with both programs bringing new performance and innovation to two different categories of business aviation.

"The enthusiasm continues to build for the Citation Latitude (pictured)," said Terry Shriner, business leader for the Latitude and Longitude. "We recently completed cyclic testing of the electrically-operated main cabin door, having simulated 19,000 flights with nine passengers and two crew members. The critical design review for the throttle quadrant and the environmental controls is also completed. Over half of the 28,000 necessary parts are complete. The first prototype is being assembled, and we expect to have it flying by first quarter of 2014."

In response to customer feedback, Cessna designed the Latitude with a roomy, six-foot tall cabin and a flat cabin floor. The Latitude will have a range of 2,500 nm, a max cruise speed of 440 ktas, and configurations for seating seven to nine passengers. Cabin noise levels is expected to be lower than similar category aircraft and the cabin altitude will not exceed 6,000 feet, making for a more comfortable flight. The prototype is expected to power on for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Announced at last year's EBACE, the Citation Longitude (pictured, below) is designed to be the first Cessna Citation jet capable of extended intercontinental routes. Cessna expects the Longitude to be a strong addition in the super mid size category of business aircraft, providing yet another step up in the Citation family of business jets which meet customer needs as they change and increase. "We are excited that the Longitude recently completed wind tunnel performance validation," said Shriner. "Testing confirmed we have met our range projections for a 4,000 nm range at a cruise speed of Mach 0.82. When compared with aircraft in the super mid size category, we are confident that at the price point we are targeting for the Longitude, no one will be able to match this aircraft's range, efficiency and performance."

The Citation Longitude is designed to capitalize on proven platforms within the Citation line. The jet's design incorporates the cockpit and avionics architecture from the Latitude, as well as the Latitude's flat floor cabin. The Longitude will have a proven design in the cockpit, as the jet will share the Garmin G5000 avionics package with the Citation X and Citation Sovereign.

The next step for the Longitude is the development testing of select components and concepts to help validate the architecture and layout of the aircraft. Prototype first flight is projected for mid-2016, FAA type certification and entry into service is expected in the latter half of 2017. EASA type certification at this point is projected for mid 2018.

(Images provided by Cessna)

FMI: www.cessna.com