Cessna Gets Citation Sovereign Papers

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The Cessna Citation certification machine continues to run more or less on schedule: Cessna Aircraft on June 2 celebrated FAA type certification of its newest model, the model 680 Citation Sovereign. The mid-size business jet is the latest to join Cessna’s Citation stable and includes many technical and operational innovations, according to the company. Additionally, the Sovereign marks the first time customers can train their pilots in a certified level-D simulator prior to first delivery. In AVweb‘s opinion, Cessna has once again demonstrated its relentless ability to bring new models to its customers with less muss and fuss than other manufacturers. The company’s latest achievement also debuts Cessnas first use of the Maintenance Steering Group inspection program (MSG 3), an industry-recognized set of procedures designed to enhance aircraft maintenance through ongoing fault analysis. The MSG 3 programs are designed to both result in significant savings in scheduled maintenance costs and improve dispatch reliability.

“This is a great day for Cessna,” said Jack J. Pelton, Cessnas president and CEO, in a press release. “We have been working with the FAA on the Sovereigns certification for the past few months. In the Cessna tradition, the Sovereign exceeds the performance numbers we originally announced. Everyone at Cessna who helped make this new airplane a reality should be extremely proud.” The Cessna employees to whom Pelton referred include the Citation Sovereigns integrated design team. According to the company, this group developed many new engineering and manufacturing efficiencies that can and will be used on future aircraft programs at Cessna. The Cessna Sovereigns performance numbers reflect its mid-size, mid-range design philosophy and include a 459-knot cruise speed, 2730-nm range, 3694-foot takeoff distance and 47,000-foot ceiling. Also, according to the company, the Sovereign has the largest cabin and external baggage compartment of any Citation and will accommodate up to 12 passengers, a crew of two and 100 cubic feet, or 1,000 pounds, of external baggage. Up front, the newest Citation features a fully integrated Primus Epic avionics suite by Honeywell. Typically, Cessna has received over 100 firm orders for the model 680, worth $1.5 billion. The first Citation Sovereign delivery is expected in the second half of 2004.

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