Cessna launches Citation Hemisphere

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Cessna has launched its largest business jet to date, the Citation Hemisphere.

Key Facts:

  • 4,500nm range

  • Snecma Silvercrest engines

  • Maximum 12 passengers

  • First flight due 2019

  • Cost: between $30 – $33 million

    • When Textron purchased Beechcraft, they had the smaller end of the business aviation market sowed up. Clients could upgrade from the turboprop King Air family to a Cessna Citation business jet directly, all through the same company.

    But there was always something missing from the Citation line-up, and that was range. To try and address this, Cessna twice aimed for aircraft could fly for 4,000nm. The first, the Citation Columbus, was announced just before the global financial crisis.

    As economies around the work faltered, so did the business jet market, and it came as little surprise that the Columbus was officially cancelled in 2009.

    Later, in 2012, Cessna would introduce the Longitude. However, a redesign that was first hinted at in 2014 resulted in the originally announced 4,000nm range being pegged back to 3,400nm.

    So enter the Hemisphere, a clean sheet designed wide-body business jet with 4,500nm range.

    “Over the last 20 years customers in this segment have seen little innovation or investment in new products as their business needs and mission requirements have continued to evolve,” said said Scott Ernest, president and CEO, Textron Aviation, “The Citation Hemisphere is designed to transform this segment, offering customers the latest technology available and the widest cabin in its class.

    Although Cessna announced the aircraft, its remains fairly coy about the specifications, instead saying that its actively seeking customer feedback from the interactive cabin concept that it has on display at the NBAA.

    The few details that it has released include the size of the cabin. Cessna say that this will be 102 inches, which is wider than the Gulfstream G650, and exactly the same as the upcoming Dassault Falcon 5X.

    Power will come courtesy of Snecma Silvercrest engines, both producing around 7,000lb thrust each. Silvercrest engines also power the Falcon 5X.

    Cessna say that the first flight is due to take place in 2019, and although no pricing has been released, Corporate Jet Investor understands that it will cost between $30 – $33 million.

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