Cessna’s Citation Mustang Makes Its Debut

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Cessna’s newest offering, the Citation Mustang, made its world debut last month at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, arriving at the fly-in with Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton at the controls. The arrival was the first public display of Cessna’s entry into the coming very light jet (VLJ) sweepstakes; it was announced in 2002 and Cessna says it has more than 230 orders. Cessna said in 2002 it planned to obtain FAA type certification in the third quarter of 2006 — delivery of the first customer aircraft is expected in fourth quarter 2006 — and the company has been relentless in making those deadlines in recent years. The company adds that the Citation Mustang will be certified as a single-pilot, FAR Part 23 aircraft, with an anticipated cruise speed of 340 KTAS and a maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet. Other features include Pratt & Whitney PW615F engines and Garmin International’s G1000 integrated avionics. Im very proud of the quality work Cessna employees have put into the Citation Mustang — its an honor to fly the airplane in for this important first public appearance, Pelton said on arriving at Oshkosh. As of its public debut, the Citation Mustang prototype had flown more than 80 flights, accruing more than 150 hours, since its first flight April 23. In designing and engineering the new VLJ, Cessna says it has integrated new tooling with manufacturing processes resulting in improved manufacturing consistency which it hopes will mean customer deliveries with shorter lead times. The first Mustang, which is to be assembled and delivered at Cessna’s Independence, Kan., facility, is scheduled to start down the assembly line later this fall.

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