Cessna Aircraft is to go ahead with a large-cabin, intercontinental business jet that will be its largest-ever aircraft. Details of the design, first revealed in mock-up form at the National Business Aviation Association's convention in 2006, are to be revealed at a press conference in Washington on 6 February.
In 2006, the company said the aircraft would have nine seats, with a 7,400km (4,000nm) range at Mach 0.8. Maximum operating Mach speed was said to be around 0.86, slower than the Citation X. Entry into service at that time was said to be 2012.
The news follows Bombardier's announcement on Tuesday that it will team with Germany's Grob Aerospace to build an eight-passenger all-composite, stand-up cabin, coast-to-coast business jet called the Learjet 85.
"I'm ecstatic to announce we are extending the Citation line upward and grateful for the patience of the customers who have urged Cessna to add a large cabin Citation, including many who are planning to move up from their existing Citation business jets," said Jack Pelton, chief executive of Cessna. "We have invested a great deal of time in evaluating this concept to determine a solid business case and involved customers very early in this programme. We're confident our efforts will result in an aircraft that is right for the marketplace."
Source: Flight International
