The first production Cessna Citation Mustang made its debut at NBAA’s static park earlier today in time for tonight’s gala party for more than 1,000 Cessna customers.
It was at a similar NBAA party three years ago that the entry-level jet was announced. Production model 001 is close to 100h flying time through 43 flights since it first took to the skies just nine weeks ago. The aircraft is the first Mustang to appear with a fully completed interior.
The program is ahead of schedule, but program manager Russ Meyer III is making no promises about achieving earlier certification than the planned fourth quarter 2006. “We are meeting all our milestones, but there’s a long way to go,” he says.
Production model 2002 has just mated wings and fuselage and will join the certification flight activity. Production model 2003 and 2004 are also under way, with the latter breaking new ground as it is being fully assembled at Independence, Kansas - the first Citation to be assembled away from Wichita.
“Model 2003 is being started at Wichita with final assembly at Independence. About 50% of the tooling has already been moved to Independence and we are confident the transition will work well,” Meyer says.
The Mustang on display will also show the Garmin G1000 system, which is being installed on the aircraft. “This fully integrated, three-display unit with flight management system gives the Mustang a big jet feel,” says Meyer.
There are 230 orders for the Mustang – 60% of which are destined to go outside the USA – orders taken at the show will be for delivery in the third quarter of 2009.
Source: Flight Daily News
