Maiden flight for second Longitude

Second Citation Longitude

The second Citation Longitude has successfully completed its first flight just over one month after the first prototype aircraft flew in October.

The flight, piloted by Textron Aviation test pilots Scott Foster and Peter Fisher, lasted approximately 90 minutes, with Cessna saying that the aircraft reached all of its performance targets.

The aircraft will be used in the flight test program primarily for systems testing, while further expanding the aircraft’s performance envelope.

“In the 12 months since we announced the Citation Longitude, our team has been right on target in meeting the program milestones, further validating our industry-leading development process.”

Scott Ernest, president and CEO, Textron Aviation said: “In the 12 months since we announced the Citation Longitude, our team has been right on target in meeting the program milestones, further validating our industry-leading development process.”

“We are coming off of a successful NBAA where we announced increased performance numbers and debuted the prototype aircraft less than a month after first flight – all of which are fuelling robust customer interest around the world. The team remains focused, and we are charging into 2017 with great momentum on the program,” added Ernest.

Cessna announced earlier this month that the Longitude has achieved an improved range of 3,500 nautical miles, an increase of 100 nautical miles. Full fuel payload has also been increased to 1,600 pounds.

The second Longitude joins the flight test program that will include multiple flying aircraft in addition to several ground-test articles and more than 40 additional test articles for various sub-systems.

With seating for up to 12 passengers, the Longitude features a stand-up, flat-floor cabin with a standard double-club configuration and a class-leading walk-in baggage compartment fully accessible in flight.