Sierra Industries has teamed with Garrett Aviation Services to offer its Williams-Rolls FJ44 re-engining and Eagle wing modification to operators of Cessna Citation 500/501SP-series aircraft exclusively through Garrett's US service centre network.
The Sierra/Garrett FJ44 Eagle II is powered by two 2,300lb-thrust (10.2kN) FJ44-2As, which provide lower fuel consumption and better hot-and-high performance than the original Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1As.
Uvalde, Texas-based Sierra received US supplemental type certification for the re-engined Citation I business jet in March. The company has begun deliveries of converted aircraft against a backlog of 21 orders.
Garrett expects to begin its first re-engining "any time now" and plans to perform 10-12 modifications a year. The companies estimate 300 aircraft in the USA, 80 in Europe and 80 in Latin America are candidates for re-engining.
The $1.75 million conversion includes Sierra's Eagle performance-enhancement modification, which increases gross weight and altitude capability. If the aircraft already has the Eagle modification, conversion costs $1.55 million.
Re-engining increases maximum speed by more than 50kt (90km/h), to over 400kt, and maximum range by more than 550km (300nm), to over 3,700km. The aircraft's service ceiling is also increased and time to altitude reduced.
In addition to engines and nacelles, the modification involves new pylons and electrical systems.
Source: Flight International
