A programme to re-engine the Cessna Citation II with Williams FJ44-3 turbofans has been launched by new company Clifford Development. The aircraft will compete with an FJ44 re-engining programme under development by Sierra Industries for the light jet.
Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Clifford was formed in August to pursue the re-engining of Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-powered aircraft with the Williams powerplant, says chief executive Jim Clifford. The Citation II, of which 860 are in service, was selected as the first project. An aircraft is being modified, with 250h of flight testing expected to begin by mid-January, leading to supplemental type certification by September next year.
Re-engining with the 3,000lb-thrust (13.4kN), digitally controlled FJ44-3 is expected to increase fuel efficiency by 20%, long-range cruise speed by 21%, range by 29% and single-engine climb rate by 34%. Installation will be handled by service centres. Clifford says the modification is priced at $1.9 million, including new engine instrumentation that doubles as a multifunction display. Included in the price are pilot training at CAE Simuflite or FlightSafety and mechanic training at Williams.
Sierra expects to certificate its re-engined Citation II, the Super II, by the third or fourth quarter of next year, says Don Smith, sales and marketing director. The Uvalde, Texas-based company certificated its FJ44-2A-powered Citation I, the Stallion, in August and plans to deliver four by early next year.
The Stallion modification costs $1.47 million, but the firm has not yet put a price on the Super II. Sierra has begun flight testing winglets, with certification expected in the third quarter of next year, and plans to install them on the Stallion and Super II and offer them for other 500-series Citations from the original 500 to the Ultra. The winglets are expected to sell for $50,000-75,000.
Source: Flight International
