Cessna Racks Up More Mustang Orders, Sets First VLJ Record

On the heels of its largest fleet order at 30 from an undisclosed European air-taxi operator, Cessna broke into the Italian market with its VLJ offering, the Citation Mustang. Related Story
Cessna booked orders for eight Mustangs in addition to a Citation CJ2+, two Citation CJ3s and two XLS+ aircraft, with deliveries set to start in May 2009. The order came from SCS Maretti, Cessna’s authorized sales representative for Italy. Marisa Maretti, based in Monaco, completed contracts at NBAA.
"The growth of business aviation in Italy is following the trend across Europe," said Trevor Esling, vice president, international sales. "More and more people see the efficiency of flying when and where they need to be throughout the region. Signora Maretti continues to stay ahead of market demand in serving this important region of Europe."
Esling said the range of products in demand in Italy reflects the various requirements there coming from individuals and from pan-European businesses.

First VLJ Record
The Mustang logged another first for Cessna by becoming the first very light jet to earn a certificate of record from the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).
Cessna set the U.S. national record for Speed Over a Recognized Course in the new category of Class C, Aeroplanes, Very Light Jets. The accomplishment occurred on Sept. 22, 2007, when the Mustang honored the 60th year of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) meeting and convention by flying from New York (the site of the first meeting in 1947) to Atlanta (the site of the 2007 convention).
The flight took two hours, 23 minutes, 44 seconds with an average speed of 318.87 miles per hour. NAA’s Very Light Jet class comprises jets weighing less than 10,000 pounds and carrying at least four passengers.
Jim Perry, Cessna senior demo pilot, and Bob Stangarone, Cessna’s vice president of corporate communications, piloted the aircraft. Also on board were NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen; Pat Epps of Atlanta-based Epps Aviation, whose father, Ben T. Epps, built and piloted the first powered aircraft in Georgia 100 years ago; and Jamail Larkins, a Georgia resident made famous for obtaining his pilot’s license at 14 and then becoming the first ambassador for aviation and space education for the FAA.
Cessna has delivered 32 Mustangs and has received more than 400 orders for the aircraft.