Cabin Mockup Of The Newest Cessna BizJet On Display In Las Vegas Convention Center

The new Citation M2 light business jet introduced by Cessna Aircraft Company September 26th is making its public debut this week at the 64th NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention. A cabin mock-up of the aircraft will be on display at Cessna’s exhibit in the Las Vegas Convention Center Oct. 10-12.

Officially launched at an event at Cessna world headquarters in Wichita, KS, the Citation M2 is positioned between the Citation Mustang and the Citation CJ family. The aircraft features Garmin G3000 avionics, engines similar to those found in the Citation CJ series and an all-new cabin design. The $4.195 million Citation M2 has a maximum cruise speed of 400 knots true airspeed and a range of 1,300 nautical miles. The aircraft can operate at airports with runways as short as 3,250 feet and will climb to 41,000 feet in 24 minutes.

“Operator feedback and owner insight have indicated a market for a Citation with the size, speed and range of the Citation M2. We expect to see customers new to the Citation family, Mustang owners looking for a logical next step or CJ1+ operators who want a new, more advanced Citation,” said Scott Ernest, Cessna president and CEO.

The Citation M2 is powered by a pair of FADEC-controlled Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 turbofan engines, each producing 1,965 pounds of thrust. This new and improved version of Williams’ FJ44 engine incorporates improvements gleaned from more than 6 million hours of operation of the 4,000 FJ44 engines in service. The FJ44-1AP-21 produces 10-15 percent more altitude thrust (depending on conditions) and consumes less fuel at long range cruise than the previous version, enabling the M2 to climb quickly and cruise fast and far. The engine also provides significantly higher performance at hot and high conditions and an increase in the time between overhaul (TBO) from 3,500 to 4,000 hours.

The Citation M2’s clean cockpit design is anchored by the fully integrated Garmin G3000 avionics suite that seamlessly integrates numerous system components into an easy-to-use flightdeck to simplify operation and enhance situational awareness during flight and when taxiing. The G3000 system centers on three 14.1-inch LCD primary and multifunction displays and two infrared, touch-screen control panels. The touch-screen controllers react to changes in an infrared grid rather than traditional surface resistance sensors for better response under a variety of conditions. The controllers allow multi-function display page navigation as well as audio and FMS control. The MFD and PFD provide split-screen capability so that two separate vertical pages may be viewed side-by-side. Pilots may simultaneously view maps, charts, TAWS, flight planning or weather.

Popular options from other Citation models are standard on the Citation M2. Among the standard features of the avionics system are weather radar, TCAS I, terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) and ADS-B Out.

First flight of the new Citation M2 will be in the first half of 2012, with Federal Aviation Administration certification (Part 23) expected in the first half of 2013, followed by deliveries beginning in the second half of 2013.

In addition to the new Citation M2, Cessna’s NBAA exhibit at the Las Vegas Convention Center will feature a new mock-up of the Citation Ten. The company’s static aircraft display at Henderson Executive Airport (KHND) will feature a full lineup of business jets: Citation Mustang, Citation CJ2+, Citation CJ3, Citation CJ4, Citation XLS+, Citation Sovereign, Citation X (with winglets and Honeywell Primus Elite avionics) and a Citation Encore. Next to the Citation family of jets, Cessna will feature a Grand Caravan with Oasis interior and a high-density seating Grand Caravan, and a 206 Turbo Stationair.

FMI: www.cessna.com