Well, THAT Didn't Take Long! 

The wing-mate of the Citation Mustang is the latest in a long list of program milestones to be accomplished. On February 3, 2005, at 0830 (CST), Cessna team members mated the wing to the fuselage of the Citation Mustang prototype. The entire process took less than 20 minutes.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the outstanding progress of the Citation Mustang certification team," said Cessna's Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. "We are eager for first flight and are confident the Citation Mustang will deliver everything we've promised customers and more."

The Citation Mustang, Model 510, is one of three Citations not using legacy assemblies from other Citations (the original model 500 and model 650 did not use legacy parts). The program continues to maintain its aggressive schedule due to the coordination of the integrated team, which consists of many functional areas: Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Flight Test, Integrated Supply Chain, Training, Interiors and Marketing.

Approximately 50 Cessna workers based at Cessna's Independence, Kansas, and Columbus, Georgia, facilities have temporarily relocated to Wichita to help build the first five Citation Mustangs. These five airframes are in various stages of assembly at Cessna's Pawnee facility in Wichita, Kansas. Once completed, three airframes will be used for flight testing and two airframes will be used for structural testing.

"The airframe has exceeded our expectations," said Bill Rhinesmith, Mustang Airframe Supervisor. "The team's early design coordination has resulted in a great fit and finish on the prototype aircraft. The successful wing mate is just the latest example of a plane that is coming together as designed."

Static, cyclic, reliability and component tests will be accomplished at Cessna's structural test facility in Wichita. Cessna has already begun testing on the Mustang engine, avionics and autopilot, landing gear, environmental system, and flight controls.

The Citation Mustang was announced at the 2002 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. It is Cessna's newest entry-level business jet and will offer customers the same quality, safety, value and support that have been the foundation of the Citation program for over 30 years. The airplane will be certified as a FAR Part 23 aircraft, with a cruise speed of 340 knots, and maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet.

Cessna has received over 200 orders for the Citation Mustang, and the next available aircraft is the second quarter of 2009. Cessna anticipates first flight in 2005.

FMI: www.cessna.com