New Light BizJet 'Closes Gap' Between Mustang and CJ Series

Well... there is life in Wichita after all, and it appears to be coming from Cessna Aircraft Company. After a few rumors leaked out in recent days, Cessna has officially launched the Citation M2, a new light business jet that 'fills the gap between the Citation Mustang and the Citation CJ family.'

The Citation M2 features Garmin G3000 avionics, engines similar to those found in the Citation CJ series and an all-new cabin design. The aircraft is an aluminum airframe with a T-tail and a straight wing that includes LED lights. A cabin mock-up of the Citation M2 will be on display at Cessna's exhibit in the Las Vegas Convention Center during the 64th NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention Oct. 10-12.
 
With room for two crew and up to six passengers, the $4.195 million Citation M2 has a maximum cruise speed of 400 knots true airspeed and a range of 1,300 nm. The aircraft can operate at airports with runways as short as 3,250 feet and will climb to 41,000 feet in 24 minutes.

"Operator feedback and owner insight have indicated a market for a Citation with the size, speed and range of the Citation M2. We expect to see customers new to the Citation family, Mustang owners looking for a logical next step or CJ1+ operators who want a new, more advanced Citation," said Scott Ernest, Cessna president and CEO.

The Citation M2 is powered by a pair of FADEC-controlled Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 turbofan engines, each producing 1,965 pounds of thrust. This new and improved version of Williams' FJ44 engine reportedly incorporates improvements gleaned from more than 6 million hours of operation of the 4,000 FJ44 engines in service. The FJ44-1AP-21 produces 10-15 percent more altitude thrust (depending on conditions) and consumes less fuel at long range cruise than the previous version, enabling the M2 to climb quickly and cruise fast and far. The engine also provides significantly higher performance at hot and high conditions and an increase in the time between overhaul (TBO) from 3,500 to 4,000 hours.
 
The Citation M2's clean cockpit design is anchored by the fully integrated Garmin G3000 avionics suite that seamlessly integrates numerous system components into an easy-to-use flightdeck to simplify operation and enhance situational awareness during flight and when taxiing. The G3000 system centers on three 14.1-inch LCD primary and multifunction displays and two infrared, touch-screen control panels. The touch-screen controllers react to changes in an infrared grid rather than traditional surface resistance sensors for better response under a variety of conditions. The controllers allow multi-function display page navigation as well as audio and FMS control. The MFD and PFD provide split-screen capability so that two separate vertical pages may be viewed side-by-side. Pilots may simultaneously view maps, charts, TAWS, flight planning or weather.

Popular options from other Citation models are standard on the Citation M2. Among the standard features of the avionics system are weather radar, TCAS I, terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) and ADS-B Out.

From the cockpit divider aft through the rear lavatory, the main passenger cabin of the Citation M2 is 58 inches wide (1.47 meters) and 11 feet long with a 5-inch dropped aisle providing a cabin height of 57 inches. Eight large windows, roomy pedestal seats and intuitive cabin appointments highlight the all-new interior, of which materials and colors can be hand-selected by customers.

Cessna's proprietary cabin management system that includes the latest interface options for greater in-flight productivity and connectivity is optional. The first flight of the new Citation M2 is expected in the first half of 2012, with FAA Part 23 Certification expected in the first half of 2013, followed by deliveries beginning in the second half of 2013.

FMI: www.Cessna.com