Expects Certification In Fall 2006

Thursday morning, Cessna Aircraft Company announced its first flight of the Citation Encore+, a significant step toward the anticipated certification of the airplane in the early fourth quarter of this year. Equipped with its new dual-channel FADEC engines and full Pro Line 21 avionics suite, the first production unit Encore+ took off from Rockwell Collins' facility in Cedar Rapids, IA at 11:40 am CST Wednesday.

"During the one-hour and nine-minute test flight, the pilots flew an aggressive flight profile to test basic stability, flap and landing gear extension and retraction, controllability, trim actuation, engine operating characteristics and basic autopilot operation," said Lynn Young, Citation Encore+ program manager. "We are pleased this first flight adheres to our schedule, marking a major milestone that moves us toward on-time customer deliveries in the first quarter of 2007."

Cessna representatives tell ANN the next step toward certification includes further development of avionics and engine software.

First announced just five months ago at the 2005 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) conference, the Encore+ succeeds the Encore, offering increased efficiency, a new integrated avionics suite, increased payload capability, more standard equipment, and new interior styling features like LED indirect cabin lighting. Propulsion for the Encore+ is generated by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535B engines equipped with dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), each rated at 3,400 pounds of thrust.

Maximum takeoff weight for the Citation Encore+ has been increased by 200 pounds over the Encore, enabling the typical operator to have a full fuel payload (in addition to two pilots) in excess of 1,100 pounds. The Citation Encore+ is expected to be certified for single-pilot operation.

Cessna says the avionics on the Encore+ are the most advanced available on this class of business jet. The integrated Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite encompasses many of the same features as the Citation CJ3 and CJ1+ and CJ2+. The heart of the integration resides in the File Server Unit (FSU) serving as a portal to display electronic charting, graphical weather, and enhanced mapping in the cockpit. The Primary Flight Displays (PFD) and enhanced Multi-Function Display (MFD) are presented on three 8-inch by 10-inch active matrix color liquid crystal displays.

The Encore+ is also equipped with standard Terrain Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), Mark VIII Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), and broadcast graphical weather including Next Generation Doppler Radar (NEXRAD) information, Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METARs), and textual Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF).

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2005, Cessna delivered 1,157 aircraft and reported revenues of about $3.5 billion. The global fleet of more than 4,500 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world.

FMI: www.cessna.com