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Cessna's Citation Sovereign Makes First
Production Flight |
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May 1, 2013 - Cessna's new Citation Sovereign
recently made its first production flight.
Cessna announced the program last year. The
flight of the new Sovereign lasted a little more
than two and a half hours and included tests of
the Garmin G5000 avionics with auto throttles,
autopilot, engine system, aircraft systems and
instrument approaches. The airplane took off and
landed at Wichita, Kan., Mid-Continent Airport
(ICT) where Cessna's main manufacturing facility
is located.
"The aircraft handling characteristics and
performance were exceptional, just as we had
anticipated after flying more than 1,300 hours
in three test flight articles. The Garmin G5000
avionics system provides a sense of control and
situational awareness that any pilot will
appreciate," said Matt Freund, Cessna production
flight test pilot. "The new Sovereign makes a
great airplane even better and continues to
shows the confidence and reliability of our
Citation brand — this is a terrific milestone
for the new Sovereign and Cessna."
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The new Sovereign will have a range of 3,000 nm
(3,452 statute miles or 5,556 km). It features
improved cabin cooling, Garmin G5000 avionics
with auto throttles and a new cabin management
system. Winglets have been added to the new
Sovereign ensuring its capability of reaching a
top speed of 458kts and contributing to the
increased range and enabling a direct climb to
45,000 feet while still being renowned for
taking off and landing on short runways.
Featuring one of the longest passenger cabins in
its class and capable of seating nine people,
the new Sovereign is fitted with Pratt & Whitney
turbofan engines allowing for 5,852 lb of
thrust. Along with a newly announced five year
warranty package, the new Sovereign offers
owners even greater value.
"This milestone first flight shows the heritage
of the strong Citation brand is embedded in all
we do instilling confidence in our customers
that Cessna has, yet again, taken customer
feedback and combined it with Cessna engineering
and craftsmanship to make a trusted Citation
aircraft even better," said Kelly Reich, Cessna
business leader for the new Citation Sovereign.
"Our team designing, building and flying
Cessna's next generation of aircraft is excited
today knowing our customers will soon experience
the new Citation Sovereign." |
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