Cessna Citation Ascend Achieves FAA Certification, Bringing Advanced Features to the Most Popular Midsize Business Jet Family

The Cessna Citation Ascend, designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, achieved a major milestone Wednesday, November 5, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded type certification for the aircraft, with entry into service expected later this year. The aircraft boasts an entirely new cockpit, improved performance and luxurious flat floor cabin, giving customers versatility and flexibility to accomplish their mission. Two flight test articles completed more than 1,000 flight hours and numerous certification tests to achieve FAA certification.

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Cessna Citation Ascend achieves FAA certification, bringing advanced features to the most popular midsize business jet family (Photo credit: Textron Aviation).

“The Citation Ascend’s successful flight test program reflects our teams’ expertise in obtaining FAA certification while designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering & Programs. “We sought our customers’ feedback, and the result is a business jet that offers customers the latest innovations in performance, productivity and efficiency.”

With more than 1,000 Cessna Citation 560XL series aircraft delivered since 2000, owners and operators appreciate the aircraft for its unparalleled combination of performance, comfort, ease of operation, range of mission capabilities and favorable operating efficiencies.

Equipping customers with Garmin G5000 avionics featuring the latest software, the cockpit includes:

• Autothrottle technology to reduce pilot workload and provide flight-envelope protection
• Three large, 14-inch ultra high-resolution displays with split-screen capabilities
• Standard dual flight management systems
• Synthetic vision tech to render obstacles like mountains or terrain
• Cockpit voice and data satellite transceiver to make satellite calls from the cockpit
• Garmin advanced weather detection and avoidance technology
• Second Iridium data radio and controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) to support customers with more direct routing between North America and Europe (optional)

Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines deliver fuel efficiency and increased thrust to the aircraft. The Ascend gives customers a maximum speed of 441 ktas (817 km/h), a maximum range of 1,940 nm (3,593 km) and a 900 lb (408 kg) full fuel payload.