Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Cessna expects to put its first production Citation CJ1 entry-level business jet into demonstrator service in February. Customer deliveries start in April.
The CJ1 is an upgrade of the CitationJet, with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics and a 90kg (200lb) increase in gross weight. Supplemental type certification of the new avionics by Rockwell Collins is expected this month.
Cessna has also rolled out the first production Citation CJ2, which is expected to fly at the beginning of February. The CJ2 is a stretched CitationJet, with Pro Line 21 avionics and uprated Williams-Rolls FJ44-2 engines. The manufacturer says the CJ2 programme is on schedule for US certification in May.
The company says CJ2 certification is the pilot programme for a new integrated rapid development approach. The same approach will be used to develop the new Citation Sovereign mid-size business jet. CJ2 programme manager Randy Nelson has been appointed to lead Sovereign development as Cessna's new director of projects.
The critical design review for the Sovereign was completed late last year, allowing detailed design to start. Production of the fatigue test article will begin in the third quarter. Work on the first prototype is to begin in mid-2001, with certification planned for 2002.
Source: Flight International
