Sierra Industries has obtained a supplementary type certificate (STC) to install modern engines on a classic bizjet. The company says that by putting Williams FJ44-2A engines on the Cessna Citation 500 and 501 series, the 30-year-old jets can compete with modern designs in terms of performance and endurance. It calls the faster-climbing, faster-cruising, longer-legged creation the Stallion. "The Stallion offers the exhilarating performance that comes with a substantial power increase and provides owners with choice when it is time to overhaul engines," Sierra CEO Mark Huffstutler said in a news release. With the 2,300-pound thrust Williams engines (the original JT15-Ds put out 2,200 pounds) and the efficiencies inherent in the more modern design of the engines, the Stallion climbs fully loaded directly to 43,000 feet, cruises 30-40 knots faster and goes about 150 to 200 nm farther on a tank of gas, depending on power settings. The Williams conversion costs about $1.4 million.
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