Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
Cessna Aircraft is expected to unveil details of a stretched version of the Citation Excel corporate jet at the US National Business Aviation Association convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October, which will spearhead its attack on Raytheon's Hawker 800XP and provide a cheaper trade-up option for existing Citation operators.
The main changes to the stretched Excel include a longer fuselage, additional fuel capacity, higher operating weights and more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306 turbofans. The higher maximum take off weight, expected to be around 12,700kg (28,000lb), is likely to produce a range of up to 5,200km (2,800nm) with eight passengers and full instrument flight rules reserves. This is a considerable step up from the current model, which has a range of 3,750km, with four/six passengers, two crew and 45min reserves.
Cessna adopted the stretch option after studying more complex new aircraft designs entailing an all-new cabin cross-section, new wing, all-new systems and longer fuselage. Industry sources close to the design team say, however, that the simple stretch was chosen within the past two months in a move designed to accelerate Cessna's time to market. The company is expected to unveil an equally ambitious 36-month development and certification effort.
Although sales of the Excel are going well, with more than 200 aircraft on order through to 2001, Cessna is using the stretch to bridge the gap towards the Citation X. The aircraft is therefore being seen principally as the vanguard of Cessna's attack on the Hawker 800XP market, as well as providing a more affordable trade-up option compared with the Citation VII. The stretched Excel is expected to have a price of $9.5-10 million.
P&WC, supplier of the PW545A turbofan for the Excel, is likely to supply what amounts to an off-the-shelf version of the PW306A. Sources close to the Canadian engine manufacturer say the first turbofan will be needed for testing by next April or May.
Source: Flight International
