Mustang Trotting Along On Track …
Cessna’s NBAA press conferences also provided progress reports for three of company’s most prominent new aircraft programs.Like any proud parent, Cessna officials hyped their baby, the Citation Mustang entry-level six-seat bizjet, as much as possible. According to Cessna officials, the jet should be ready for type certification in the third quarter of 2006, with first customer deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2006.High-speed and low-speed wind tunnel tests were completed that verified the airframe design, Cessna added. The Mustang will be certified as a FAR Part 23 aircraft, with a cruise speed of 340 knots at 35,000 feet, and a maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet. According to Mustang Program Manager Russ Meyer III, “We have completed the major critical design reviews and are confident that we have the right design for the airframe and for systems architecture. There have been very few changes from our original expectations.” The Mustang is 40 feet long and 13 feet tall. The wingspan is more than 42 feet, and will incorporate an 11-degree leading-edge sweep. Each PW615F engine is flat-rated to 1,350 pounds of thrust at ISA+10C and incorporates a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). The Mustang project was unveiled at last year’s NBAA conference, where 200 orders were reportedly taken within the first 48 hours. This year, a mock-up of the cabin was on display at the show.Work has begun on the first prototype airplane and first flight is expected in mid-2005. Flight tests of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F engine will begin next year using a Citation CJ1 platform.
… A More Powerful Sovereign …
Cessna announced “significant” increases in the Citation Sovereign’s performance, including range, speed and climb. The published projected range has increased from 2,820 nm to 3,040 nm and the Mmo from Mach 0.78 to Mach 0.80. In addition, times to climb are one to three minutes better than expected, and takeoffs at MTOWs from runways less than 3,800 feet in length are now possible thanks to the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C engines.
… And CJ3 Begins Certification Testing …
The Citation CJ3, which was announced at last year’s convention, began its certification test program this month. Cessna says two jets are already involved in flight-testing with more than 200 test flight hours to date. The production line began in late July this year and work has begun on S/N 003 and 004. The company claims more than 160 orders and anticipates deliveries will begin late next year.
