Textron Aviation officially introduced the new Cessna Citation Ascend business jet on Monday ahead of the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. The next in the Citation 560XL series, the Ascend adds new cockpit and cabin designs along with a number of performance improvements. The model is currently slated to enter service in 2025.
“Of the Citation family, there’s none more flown than the Citation 560XL series,” said Textron Aviation President and CEO Ron Draper. “On behalf of our teams, we are proud to announce the latest innovation in the Citation family—the new Cessna Citation Ascend. We asked customers what they wanted in the next evolution of this iconic aircraft, and we believe the Citation Ascend will deliver.”
According to Textron Aviation, preliminary performance targets for the Cessna Citation Ascend include a top cruise speed off 441 knots, four-passenger range of 1,900 NM and full fuel payload of 850 pounds. The model will come equipped with Garmin G5000 avionics and offer features such as autothrottle, dual flight management systems, synthetic vision, a cockpit voice and data satellite transceiver and advanced weather detection and avoidance technology. Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, the Ascend will be capable of seating up to 12 passengers.
Nice if Textron could design a lower cost to manufacture SEL piston aircraft with better ergonomics and performance. A modern version of the 182 & 172. It took Tecnam to make a “next gen” 172 with their P2010.
I know… I know.. follow-up threads will be about business economics.
It’s less about economics than marketing. GA needs a trainer modern enough to keep students flying and it needs to be either much cheaper than the 172, or the 172 has to be removed as an option. Actually, the latter is the most important.
Hard to imagine a new trainer less expensive than a 30-year-old 172 with a panel upgrade.
I meant new ones, of course.
Hum…. Full fuel useful load 850 lbs, can carry up to 12 passengers, range 1200 miles….am I missing something? ( it wouldn’t be the first time LOL)…
Wondering. Me too.
It is completely normal in business aircraft that the operator can trade off passengers against range. I’m guessing that the Ascend can do something like 2 crew + 2 pax = 2100 NM, 2 crew + 3 pax = 2000 NM, 2 crew + 4 pax = 1900 NM, and so on down to 2 crew + 12 pax = 1100 NM. It’s not usually completely linear, but it’ll be something like that, and gives great flexibility.
My little airplane does 1 crew + 0 pax = 440 NM, 1 crew + 1 pax = 440 NM, 1 crew + 2 pax = 440 NM, 1 crew + 3 pax = 440 NM. That makes it a worse airplane, not a better one – the fuel tanks are clearly too small!
The slowtation can now go fast and climb, as well.
They have been able to do that since the III came out.
The “slotations” have Textron laughing all the way to the bank. Learjet folks used to love to make fun of the citation jets. Where are the new Learjets?
Our reply at Cessna to the Slotation nickname was that it was better than Fearjet.
Nice looking jet. Dumb name.
Serious biz jets should be able to occupy all seats and (at least) make a transcon flight with alternate fuel, Atlantic crossing from the east coast, and Hawaii from the west coast. Anything less is an expensive toy.
You know there are different classes of bizjets, right? The lights and midsize jets can’t do that mission, but not everybody needs the capability of a GV or Global.
I’m sure that will be news to Textron. They’ve done pretty well selling a ton of ‘unserious’ biz jets.
I don’t know much about “serious” bizjets like the Gulfstreams etc.. but most transcontinental and intercontinental airliners can not fill their fuel tanks and take a full load of people. The most fuel I could ever squeeze on the 787-9 going to China was 202,000 pounds and carry a full load of people. The tanks held 220,000 pounds. I personally would love to have the “Ascend” in our hangar.
It certainly can be done, but at what cost?
What, no winglets?
Isn’t this a glorified XLS?