Cessna Aircraft Company is approaching the 100th delivery of a Citation Mustang – more than half of which have gone to international owners and operators.
On display at Farnborough, the Mustang is certified in 48 countries and has gained global popularity since entering service in April 2007.
Forty-five aircraft were delivered in 2007, and Cessna plans to celebrate the 100th unit in August. The company expects to deliver 100 Mustangs this year, about three of every five going to international customers.
The current fleet of entry-level business jets totals 84 aircraft that have accumulated nearly 10,900 flight hours, said Cessna, adding the highest time aircraft has logged more than 400 hours.
By applying Textron Six Sigma process methodology, employees at the company’s Independence, Kan., facility now move one Mustang out of production every 12 hours. Continued efforts will lead to Cessna reaching its targeted full production rate of about 150 aircraft per year in 2009.
Orders for the Citation Mustang have surpassed 500, including orders from seven fleet operators, three of which have already taken their first deliveries.
The six-place Citation Mustang has a top speed of 630 kilometers per hour (340 knots), a range of 2,130 kilometers (1,150 nautical miles) with NBAA IFR Reserves and a service ceiling of 12,497 meters (41,000 feet), enabling more efficient operations above most weather and commercial traffic. The aircraft features a Garmin G1000 system that includes two 10-inch primary flight displays, one 15-inch multi-function display and the integrated GFC700 dual-channel, fail passive, digital autopilot.

First XLS Delivery at Hand
With Federal Aviation Administration type certification in hand, Cessna is moving toward first delivery of the Citation XLS+ by the end of the third quarter.
The order book tops 225 – with 70 bound for Europe – for the XLS+, an upgrade to the mid-size XLS. With a global fleet of nearly 650 planes and more than 1.4 million flight hours, the Excel/XLS is the world’s best-selling business jet model. More than 160 have been delivered to Europe.
Cessna received FAA certification for the XLS+ on May 30 following a 640-hour flight test program; European Aviation Safety Agency certification is in progress and expected by early 2009.

First CJ4 Production Aircraft Nears First Flight
Cessna continues to fly the Citation CJ4 business jet prototype while working toward first flight of its first two production CJ4s and the start of production later this year. The Citation CJ4 is an upward extension of the single-pilot-certified CJ family – delivering the strongest performance and payload balance in the series, along with advanced amenities and system architecture.
Since completing first flight of the CJ4 prototype on May 5, Cessna has logged 25 flights spanning more than 35 hours. The aircraft is performing system verification flight tests – such as speed brakes and flap systems – as well as envelope expansion flights.
“The flights are mostly devoted to honing aerodynamic and system architecture, with certification flights on schedule to begin later this year,” said CJ4 Program Manager Norm Baker. “Certification testing is well under way for our static and fatigue articles. In developing the CJ4 we have invested considerably in taking the operation of the aircraft to a new level of environmental friendliness. For example, with our dispatch power scenario a pilot can get everything ready for flight before starting the engines.”
The first production aircraft, Serial 0001, will primarily be used for avionics and systems certification, while the second production aircraft, Serial 0002, will fly function and reliability along with company service tests. First flight for both will take place later this year.
Configurable for seven to eight passengers in the main cabin, the Citation CJ4 is expected to have a maximum speed of 806 kilometers per hour (435 knots), a full fuel payload of 453 kilograms (1,000 pounds) and maximum payload of 952 kilograms (2,100 pounds), more than 136 additional kilograms (300 pounds) compared to the typical CJ3. It will be certified for operations up to 13,700 meters (45,000 feet).
The aircraft will debut the new Williams International FJ44-4A electronically controlled (FADEC) engines and will feature the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and Venue, the next generation cabin management system. All current production Citations employ new generation turbofan engines, which meet or exceed the most stringent noise requirements and allow Cessna’s line of business jets to be among the most fuel efficient and achieve some of the lowest emissions in the industry.
Cessna plans to achieve Federal Aviation Administration type certification in the second half of 2009, followed by customer deliveries beginning in the first half of 2010. Concurrently, Cessna is working toward European Aviation Safety Agency certification.