Cessna Launches New Light Business Jet: Citation M2
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WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 26, 2011 — Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc.
(NYSE: TXT) company, today launched the Citation M2, a new light business jet
that fills the gap between the Citation Mustang and the Citation CJ family.
The Citation M2 features Garmin G3000 avionics, engines similar to those
found in the Citation CJ series and an all-new cabin design. The aircraft is an
aluminum airframe with a T-tail and a straight wing that includes LED lights. A
cabin mock-up of the Citation M2 will be on display at Cessna’s exhibit in the
Las Vegas Convention Center during the 64th NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention
Oct. 10-12.
With room for two crew and up to six passengers, the $4.195 million Citation
M2 has a maximum cruise speed of 400 knots true airspeed (741 kilometers per
hour) and a range of 1,300 nautical miles (2,408 kilometers). The aircraft can
operate at airports with runways as short as 3,250 feet (991 meters) and will
climb to 41,000 feet (12,497 meters) in 24 minutes.
“Operator feedback and owner insight have indicated a market for a Citation
with the size, speed and range of the Citation M2. We expect to see customers
new to the Citation family, Mustang owners looking for a logical next step or
CJ1+ operators who want a new, more advanced Citation,” said Scott Ernest,
Cessna president and CEO.
The Citation M2 is powered by a pair of FADEC-controlled Williams
International FJ44-1AP-21 turbofan engines, each producing 1,965 pounds of
thrust. This new and improved version of Williams’ FJ44 engine incorporates
improvements gleaned from more than 6 million hours of operation of the 4,000
FJ44 engines in service. The FJ44-1AP-21 produces 10-15 percent more altitude
thrust (depending on conditions) and consumes less fuel at long range cruise
than the previous version, enabling the M2 to climb quickly and cruise fast and
far. The engine also provides significantly higher performance at hot and high
conditions and an increase in the time between overhaul (TBO) from 3,500 to
4,000 hours.
The Citation M2’s clean cockpit design is anchored by the fully integrated
Garmin G3000 avionics suite that seamlessly integrates numerous system
components into an easy-to-use flightdeck to simplify operation and enhance
situational awareness during flight and when taxiing. The G3000 system centers
on three 14.1-inch LCD primary and multifunction displays and two infrared,
touch-screen control panels. The touch-screen controllers react to changes in an
infrared grid rather than traditional surface resistance sensors for better
response under a variety of conditions. The controllers allow multi-function
display page navigation as well as audio and FMS control. The MFD and PFD
provide split-screen capability so that two separate vertical pages may be
viewed side-by-side. Pilots may simultaneously view maps, charts, TAWS, flight
planning or weather.
Popular options from other Citation models are standard on the Citation M2.
Among the standard features of the avionics system are weather radar, TCAS I,
terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) and ADS-B Out.
From the cockpit divider aft through the rear lavatory, the main passenger
cabin of the Citation M2 is 58 inches wide (1.47 meters) and 11 feet (3.3
meters) long with a 5-inch dropped aisle providing a cabin height of 57 inches
(1.45 meters). Eight large windows, roomy pedestal seats and intuitive cabin
appointments highlight the all-new interior, of which materials and colors can
be hand-selected by customers.
Cessna’s proprietary cabin management system that includes the latest
interface options for greater in-flight productivity and connectivity is
optional.
First flight of the new Citation M2 will be in the first half of 2012, with
Federal Aviation Administration certification (Part 23) expected in the first
half of 2013, followed by deliveries beginning in the second half of 2013.
Fuller meets with Friends of Santa Monica Airport
By · CommentsGULFSTREAM DELIVERS 500th PLANEVIEW COCKPIT
By · CommentsFALLS CHURCH, Va. – General Dynamics Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay L. Johnson issued a statement today regarding the April 2 crash of a Gulfstream G650 test aircraft. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, designer and manufacturer of the aircraft, is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and co-workers of our four Gulfstream employees – experimental test pilots Kent Crenshaw and Vivan Ragusa, and technical specialists David McCollum and Reece Ollenburg – who died Saturday in the accident involving the G650 test aircraft in Roswell, New Mexico.”
“Our sorrow from the loss of these four great men is very deep,” said Johnson.
He continued, “I am confident that as Gulfstream assists aviation authorities in the accident investigation, the cause of this terrible tragedy will be determined. We look forward to continuing the rigorous testing required to achieve flight certification of the aircraft.”
“The G650 will take its place atop the long line of safe, reliable, high-performance business jets on which Gulfstream has built its superb reputation,” Johnson said.
G650 Crashes, Four Perish
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Our thoughts are with the families of the two pilots and two flight engineers who tragically died yesterday when the Gulfstream 650 aircraft they were testing crashed near Roswell, NM. The aircraft, which is in the final stages of certification testing, crashed at the airport during takeoff.
The 650 is the company’s flagship intercontinental aircraft and it has 200 orders for the $65 million plane. First deliveries were expected in 2012.