Mark Hannant
A mock-up of the Cessna Citation CJ2 business jet is on display as the climax of a 60-day European tour during which the model 525A aircraft received its type certificate. In a bid to stimulate orders in the region, the mock-up has been shown in 16 cities in nine European countries, which included a stop at ILA2000 in Berlin. And Cessna is to announce today an order for three Citation CJ2s as part of an eight-aircraft deal with German sales representatives Atlas Air Service.
The mock-up features a full-size cabin with interior amenities and a fully functioning cockpit equipped with the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite.
"We have received a lot of interest in the Citation CJ2 from our European customers," says Trevor Esling, Cessna director of International Citation Sales. "The objective of the tour has been to get customers into the aircraft and demonstrate some of the advantages of the CJ2."The first three Citation CJ2s will enter customer demonstration service in the autumn and the first customer delivery is planned before the end of 2000.The Citation CJ2 is the first aircraft completely developed, manufactured and certified by Cessna using its integrated team concept, which utilises the expertise of all functional areas during the planning, development and manufacturing process. The approach has been easily integrated into the manufacturing process, says Cessna chief executive officer Gary Hay. "The Citation CJ2 development and certification programme has exceeded every expectation. "We have successfully executed our first accelerated certification and development programme and learned a lot through the process. "The new processes implemented with the CJ2 programme have resulted in nearly every major milestone being accomplished on or ahead of schedule as well as producing an aircraft with exceptional performance. The order from Air Atlas also includes a Citation Sovereign, and four Citation CJ1s. Citations have gone down well in the German market where more than 100 are currently operating.
Source: Flight Daily News
