Cessna debuts long-range Citation business jet at EBACE

GENEVA, 16 May 2012. Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, introduced its longest-range business jet, the Citation Longitude, at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Switzerland. The aircraft’s cockpit features Garmin G5000 avionics with touch-screen controls and capabilities required to comply with emerging operating requirements for intercontinental aircraft, including FANS/CPDLC, ADS-B, and RNP.

The mid-size Citation Longitude, with a 4,000-nautical-mile range and a maximum speed of Mach .86, is priced at $25.999 million.

Two Silvercrest engines with 11,000 pounds of thrust, made by Snecma (Safran group), will power the Citation Longitude. The engines lead the industry in fuel efficiency, weight, and maintainability, says a spokesperson. An on-condition maintenance plan will potentially extend maintenance intervals and reduce operating costs.

“We are thrilled to bring the Silvercrest engine to Cessna customers because of its best-in-class efficiency, reliability and quality,” Scott Ernest, Cessna president and CEO, says. “This engine is expected to take the Citation Longitude to a new level and give our customers the range, efficiency and noise-reduction they need to be successful in today’s competitive environment.”

This longest-range business jet in Cessna’s product line is designed to offer an estimated full fuel payload of 1,950 pounds (884.5 kilograms), a maximum cruise speed of 490 knots true airspeed (907.4 kilometers per hour) and a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles (7408 kilometers).

The aircraft will have a maximum overall width of 86 feet (26.2 meters) and maximum overall length of 87 feet (26.5 meters) with advanced winglets for greater range, with improved hot/high performance, climb, and fuel burn. Entry into service is expected in 2017.

Cessna also launched its new Citation M2 and Citation Latitude aircraft just six months ago.