Cessna Citation Ascend wins FAA certification
The Cessna Citation Ascend is expected to enter service later this year. (Photocredit: Textron Aviation).
Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation Ascend has been awarded type certification from the FAA, with entry into service expected later this year.
“The Citation Ascend’s successful flight test programme reflects our teams’ expertise in obtaining FAA certification while designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering & Programs. “We sought our customers’ feedback, and the result is a business jet that offers customers the latest innovations in performance, productivity and efficiency.”
The manufacturer completed more than 1,000 flight hours and numerous certification tests to achieve FAA certification. The new jet delivers a combination of performance, comfort, ease of operation, range of mission capabilities and favourable operating efficiencies, it claims.
Equipped with Garmin G5000 avionics, the cockpit features: Autothrottle technology, designed to reduce pilot workload. and provide flight-envelope protection, three large, 14-inch ultra high-resolution displays with split-screen capabilities and standard dual flight management systems.
Also included is synthetic vision technology to render obstacles like mountains or terrain and cockpit voice and data satellite transceiver to make satellite calls from the cockpit. The cockpit features too Garmin advanced weather detection and avoidance technology
The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines delivering a maximum speed of 441ktas (817km/h), a maximum range of 1,940nm (3,593km) and a 900lb (408kg) full fuel payload.
Configured for up to 12 passengers, the cabin includes an acoustic treatment system, which enables “cabin sound levels are similar to that of driving a car down the highway”. New cabin windows are about 15% larger and offer more natural light into the cabin with translucent and opaque shade settings and optional lighted window rings, according the OEM.
The Ascend includes standard GoGo US Avance L3 Max Wi-Fi and optional U.S. Avance L5 Wi-Fi. Customers can also select Gogo Galileo HDX for Wi-Fi and worldwide calling.
More than 1,000 Cessna Citation 560XL series aircraft have been delivered since 2000.
Meanwhile, read our First Look feature on the Cessna Citation Ascend in the latest edition of Corporate Jet Investor magazine.
