Intends To Certify Older Citations With Williams FJ44-3
Engines
The move to re-engine older Cessna Citations has attracted
another interested company. Clifford Development tells ANN it
recently initiated a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) program to
re-engine the Cessna Citation S/II (CE-S550) with Williams
International FJ44-3 engines. Clifford Development is currently
certifying Williams FJ44-3 engines for the Cessna Citation II.
"We are pleased to launch this effort to re-engine the Citation
S/II working in collaboration with Williams International.
Operators have expressed interest in the Williams FJ44-3 engines
and the substantial performance, safety and operating cost
improvements these engines promise. Plus, our Citation II
certification program has led us to over 30 systems enhancements
that can also be incorporated into the Citation S/II STC. We will
at the same time be developing a new performance winglet," noted
Jim Clifford, chief executive officer of Clifford Development.
Based on performance computations completed using the
NASA-developed General Aviation Synthesis Program (GASP), Clifford
expects the re-engined CE-S550 will have significant performance
improvements including a 75 percent reduction in time-to-climb
(FL430), a 40 percent NBAA range increase (with four passengers), a
34 percent improvement in single engine climb rate and a 28 percent
reduction in fuel costs. The FADEC integration reduces takeoff
field length 10 percent without thrust reversers.
The STC for the Citation S/II will include the installation of
winglets to enhance the airplane’s fuel specifics, operating
economy and range.
"For a Citation S/II operator whose airplane is facing second
overhauls, the gains in fuel efficiency and speed combined with
reduced engine maintenance costs can allow recovery of this
investment in three to five years of typical operation. A key to
these savings is the Williams engine’s 4000 hour overhaul
interval versus the original engine’s 3000 hour interval,"
noted Clifford.
Work on the
certification airplane will begin in late September. First flight
is scheduled for November 2007, according to the company, and
issuance of the STC is anticipated in early 2008.
The quest to reinvigorate older Citations with modern,
fuel-efficient turbofans has gathered steam of late, as companies
aim to attract customers interested in a lower-cost business jet or
VLJ, but with the benefit of using an established airframe. As ANN has reported, another
company, Sierra Industries, sells re-engined versions of the
original Citation 500/501SP, equipped with Williams FJ44-2A
turbofans.
Clifford says its 2007 Citation S/II engine conversion is priced
at $2,185,000 including engine mount kits, nacelles, engines,
winglets, installation and training. The price includes a credit
for the original engines.
Customer installations will be handled by service centers in
North America.