Wed, Mar 24, 2004
Cessna's New Jet Reaches Milestone
On Tuesday, Cessna made an announcement, which not only
proves beneficial to its shareholders, but the business aviation
industry as a whole. Cessna announced its Citation XLS has received
FAA program approval less than six months since its introduction at
the 2003 NBAA convention. The manufacturer claims the jet's final
performance numbers are better than or identical to those
announced.
Here is the rundown:
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 20,200 lbs
- Maximum Zero Fuel Weight: 15,100 lbs
- Basic Operating Weight: 12,740 lbs
- Useful Load: 7,660 lbs
- Maximum Usable Fuel (6.7 lbs/gal) 6,740 lbs
- Payload With Max Fuel: 920 lbs
- Speed/Altitude 431 ktas / 43,000 ft
- Climb performance to 45,000 ft / fuel lb 29 min / 888 lbs
Successor to the Citation Excel, the XLS is powered by Pratt
& Whitney's new PW545B engines that provide 3,991 pounds of
takeoff thrust each, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to the
Excel. This additional thrust also provides remarkable cruise
speeds and climb performance. At its maximum takeoff weight, the
XLS is able to climb directly to 45,000 feet in 29 minutes, and
cruise at 429 ktas once at that altitude.
The XLS cockpit features the all new Honeywell Primus 1000
Control Display System (CDS) avionics system with three 8" x 10"
liquid crystal displays; two primary flight displays (PFD), one for
each pilot; and one multi-function display (MFD). The Primus 1000
CDS is controlled by dual Integrated Avionics Computers each
containing multiple functions including the flight director and
autopilot. All standard XLS avionics have been repackaged, and the
TCAS II and EGPWS components are now located in the nose of the
aircraft for ease of maintenance.
Another major enhancement to the XLS is the brake control
system. Cessna has improved the brakes by moving the brake fluid
reservoir, accumulator and hydraulic power pack to the left-hand
faring. This allows for better maintainability and
accessibility.
More News
Aviation Governance Secured...At Least For a While The National Business Aviation Association similarly applauded the passage of the FAA's recent reauthorization, contentedly recou>[...]
Emphasis On Growing The Future of Aviation Through Concentration on 'AFFORDABLE FLYERS' It's been a number of years since the Latest Edition of Jim Campbell's HUGE SportPlane Resou>[...]
Amazilia Aerospace GmbH, Develops Digital Flight Control, Flight Guidance And Vehicle Management Systems Textron eAviation has acquired substantially all the assets of Amazilia Aer>[...]
Honeywell's Primus Brings New Tools and Niceties for Hawker Operators Hawker 4000 business jet operators have a new installation on the table, now that the FAA has granted an STC f>[...]
Company Celebrates Niche-but-Important Advancement in Industry Standards Echodyne has announced full integration of its proprietary 'EchoFlight' radar into the e American Aerospace>[...]