Cessna's Citation Ten prototype made its first flight on 17 January from the airframer's facility in Wichita, Kansas.
During the two-hour flight, the midsize, high-speed business jet underwent a number of tests covering stability and control, handling qualities and engine operability. The Garmin G5000 avionics, autopilot, and autothrottle system were also tested.
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© Cessna Cessna's Citation Ten prototype made its first flight on 17 January from the airframer's facility in Wichita, Kansas. |
The Citation Ten was launched in 2010 as a rebooted version of Cessna's flagship Citation X, complete with a redesigned interior, elliptical winglets and upgraded Rolls-Royce AE3007C2 turbofan engines.
The nine-seat aircraft - 15in (38cm) longer than its predecessor - has a maximum take-off weight of 16,600kg (36,600lb), a maximum cruise speed of 527kt (980km/h), and a certified ceiling of 51,000ft (15,500m).
"The 'Ten' has a maximum range of 3,242nm (6,000km), putting city pairings such as New York to London, Boston to San Francisco, London to Dubai, and Miami to Seattle within convenient one-hop flights," said Cessna. US certification is on track for mid-2013, with first deliveries in the latter half of the year.
Source: Flight International
