Test Pilot Tuttle: 'All Systems Performed As Expected'

Cessna's first production unit of the Citation CJ3+ has completed its maiden flight from the company’s manufacturing facility adjacent to Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita, KS. Mark Tuttle, production flight test pilot, said all systems performed as expected during the 73 min. flight.

The new aircraft was first announced on March 20 of this year, and FAA certification is expected this year.

“Response to the CJ3+ has been excellent; customers recognize the value proposition of the airplane with its Garmin G3000 flight deck along with upgraded interiors and systems throughout,” said Chris Hearne, vice president, Jets. “The CJ3+ is engineered for superior reliability without sacrificing efficiency and comfort, and is offered with best-in-class acquisition and direct operating costs.”

The newest aircraft in the popular line of CJ-series jets includes all-new interiors with a redesigned cabin and cockpit, new pressurization and new diagnostics systems. The CJ3+ features the Garmin G3000 avionics suite, which includes turbulence detecting weather radar, TCAS II, advanced Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (TAWS), and the installation of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities. The addition of ADS-B capability makes the CJ3+ compliant with a significant aspect of announced Next Generation (NexGen) air traffic control requirements. The aircraft also features a wireless media server, Garmin integrated cockpit and cabin Iridium phone, and high speed internet capabilities.

With its long range cruise of up to 2,070 nautical miles, the CJ3+ can fly passengers nonstop from Washington, D.C., to Mexico City; from San Diego, CA, to Juneau, AK; or from Lima, Peru, to São Paulo, Brazil. The CJ3+ is expected to receive single-pilot certification and has maximum seating capacity for nine passengers.

This milestone reflects the company’s focus on continued investment in general aviation’s most extensive product line up. In addition to the CJ3+, Cessna has recently celebrated market introductions of the Citation M2, Citation Sovereign+ and Citation X+, with the game-changing mid-size Citation Latitude certification expected in Q2 of 2015.

(Image provided by Textron Aviation)

FMI: www.textronaviation.com