The Cessna Citation XLS has been announced as Cessna's newest business jet. The Citation XLS combines Citation Excel comfort with significant improvements to performance and avionics. With a price point of $9,895,000, the Citation XLS is a logical step-up for customers moving up from smaller light jets.

Preliminary data for the XLS indicates a 200-pound gross weight increase over the Excel, which allows operators to carry more payload greater distances. Maximum IFR range with two pilots and five passengers is 1,945 nm, an increase of 225 nm.

The XLS is powered by Pratt & Whitney's new PW545B engines that provide 3,991 pounds of thrust each, an increase of 4.9% compared to the Excel. This additional thrust provides remarkable cruise speeds and climb performance. At its maximum takeoff weight, the XLS is able to climb directly to 45,000 feet in 25 minutes, and cruise at 428 ktas once at 45,000 ft. This comparison table lists additional preliminary XLS specifications relative to the Excel:

The XLS cockpit features the all new Honeywell Primus 1000 Control Display System (CDS) avionics system with three 8" x 10" liquid crystal displays; two primary flight displays (PFD), one for each pilot; and one multi-function display (MFD). The system's modernized displays present drop down menus that are accessed through a cursor controlled joystick in the pedestal. The Primus 1000 CDS is controlled by an Integrated Avionics Computer that contains multiple functions including the flight management system, global positioning system, flight director and autopilot. The system is also equipped with Honeywell's emergency descent mode that provides protection for crew and passenger in the event of a loss of pressurization by directing the flight control system to turn the aircraft 90 degrees to the left and descend to 15,000 feet altitude. All standard XLS avionics have been repackaged and are now stored in the nose of the aircraft for ease of maintenance.

The substantially expanded XLS standard equipment list incorporates over $600,000 of once optional Excel equipment. The nine-place interior includes a six-place center club-seating configuration, with a two-place belted couch and aft left-hand belted seat. New passenger seats have been added that provide two to four inches additional cushion width. On the flight deck, all new crew seats from Goodrich Aerospace will be standard. These seats articulate in several positions for maximum comfort on both long and short flights. The latest technology in interior switching has been incorporated as standard to control lighting, cabin temperature, window shades and audio/video equipment. Traditional cabin lighting has been replaced with LED lights, which produce less heat and are more reliable. Additional new cabinetry has been added and veneer cabinetry is now standard. Other new standard equipment includes: APU, UNS-1ESP, TCAS II, and EGPWS. Another major enhancement to the XLS is the brake control system. Cessna has improved the brakes by moving the brake fluid reservoir, accumulator and hydraulic power pack to the left-hand faring. This allows for better maintainability and accessibility. The XLS will be delivered with a comprehensive standard warranty: five years or 5,000 hours on the airframe and Honeywell Primus 1000 CDS avionics; five years or 2,500 hours on the Pratt & Whitney engines; and one year for paint, interior, and other supplier items.

Cessna anticipates Citation XLS certification in the first quarter of 2004 with first deliveries in mid-2004. Citation XLS line flow will begin in the fourth quarter of 2003.

FMI: www.textron.com, www.cessna.com