Sierra Industries' FJ44 Eagle II, a Cessna Citation I light business jet re-engined with Williams-Rolls FJ44 turbofans, is scheduled for certification next month.
Final US Federal Aviation Administration flight testing is under way and work has started on the first three customer aircraft, says the Texas-based Citation modification specialist.
Sierra is known for its Eagle and Longwing performance-enhancement programmes for the Citation I.
The Eagle modification increases the maximum take-off weight and range of the 500 and 501SP models.
The Eagle II conversion takes the modified aircraft and replaces the 2,200lb-thrust (9.8kN) Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1As with 2,400lb-thrust FJ44-2As, resulting in a 35% reduction in fuel consumption at altitude, says sales manager John Jones.
While the Eagle modification increases the Citation's range from 1,850km (1,000nm) to 2,780km, the FJ44 Eagle II upgrade adds another 925km, says Jones.
In addition to replacing the engines and nacelles, the modification also involves the installation of new pylons, electrical system and "plumbing", Jones adds.
Source: Flight International
