Citation Fleet Surpasses 20 Million Flight Hours; Caravans Over 10M

Cessna Aircraft Company told attendees at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In this week of two significant accomplishments regarding its storied Citation business jet, and Caravan turboprop offerings.

Since 1972, the worldwide Citation fleet has surpassed the 20 million-flight hour milestone. Nearly 5,000 Citations have been delivered to customers around the world, and Cessna proudly notes more Citations have been sold than any other business jet.

Today, Cessna produces eight Citation models -- from the world’s first fully certified very light jet, the Citation Mustang, to the world’s fastest business jet, the .92 Mach Citation X. Cessna will deliver its 5,000th Citation later this year, maintaining its position as the most widely produced business jet family in history.

Meanwhile, Cessna's fleet of Caravan turboprop workhorses has achieved the 10 million flight-hour milestone.

The single engine turboprop Caravan is used in operations such as passenger and freight transport, aerial mapping and medical evacuation. It can be configured for up to 12 passengers in the cabin. An aftermarket kit is available to configure the Caravan for amphibious operations, making it a versatile tool in wilderness areas.

Cessna states 1,650 Caravans have been delivered in its more than 20-plus year production history. As a testament to the airplane’s durability and reliability, the biggest Caravan customer -- FedEx -- has demonstrated a sustainable dispatch rate of over 99 percent.

Cessna designed the Caravan for use as an outback utility aircraft in the early 1980s. Equipped with a 600 HP Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114, it was the first turbine engine powered, single-engine aircraft put into production by a major aircraft manufacturer. The first Caravan was delivered in 1985.

In 1998, the power plant was changed to the current 675 HP PT6A-114A.

Cessna produces three versions of the Caravan, the 208 and the longer 208B which is available in either Grand Caravan passenger configuration, or the Cargomaster freight configuration.

FMI: www.cessna.com