LONGUEUIL, Quebec - Pratt & Whitney Canada in Longueuil, Quebec has obtained certification from Transport Canada Civil Aviation for its PW545D engine, slated to power the Cessna Citation Ascend business jet by Textron Aviation. Pratt & Whitney Canada is an RTX business unit.
The PW545D engine integrates advanced mixer technology and efficiency enhancements in the compressor and turbine sections, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and operating temperatures. Equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) technology, the engine enables the Citation Ascend to incorporate new auto-throttle technology, streamlining engine operation, enhancing efficiency, and minimizing pilot workload.
"The Ascend's entry into service marks a significant milestone for the PW500 engine family," stated Cedric Gauthier, vice president of Sales and Marketing for General Aviation at Pratt & Whitney Canada. "Certification follows rigorous testing, including 630 hours of engine testing and 230 hours of flight testing on the Ascend prototype test aircraft."
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Preliminary performance targets indicate:
- A four-passenger range of 1,900 nm at high-speed cruise power (with an estimated maximum range of 2,100 nm)
- Cruise at 441 kts
- And the ability to climb direct to 45,000 ft
The Citation Ascend will include an unattended Honeywell RE100 auxiliary power unit (APU) with self-management and added bleed leak detection. The unattended operation capability of the APU allows pilots to prepare for every flight efficiently, including heating and cooling the cabin with less fuel and less noise.
The aircraft has a standard seating configuration of nine passengers and will have a maximum seating capacity of 12 passengers.
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The main cabin seats will feature an electrically controlled release for swivel and tracking on the seat pedestal. Optional seat quilting, footrests, and electrically controlled lumbar support make relaxing easy while side-facing seats will feature fold-down seat backs to provide additional in-flight accessible storage space.
