US aircraft modification specialist Sierra Industries flew its Stallion, a re-engined Cessna Citation 501SP, for the first time on 14 June and seeks supplemental type certification for the 2,300lb-thrust (10.2kN) Williams FJ44-2A-powered aircraft by the end of the third quarter.
The six-seat Stallion comes from the same stable as the longer-range FJ44-powered Eagle II launched in 2002 as an upgrade to the 20-year-old Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1/B-powered Eagle, based on the earlier Citation 500. “Preliminary data from the flight indicates that the Stallion will achieve a range of about 2,590km (1,400nm), 650km less than the Eagle II. However, time to climb, maximum cruise speed, and fuel consumption will likely exceed the Eagle II,” says Sierra chief executive Mark Huffstutler.
Sierra, which repurchased the FJ44 re-engining programme back from Landmark Aviation in November last year, says the Stallion conversion takes around 10 weeks and costs around $1.6 million. The Stallion can be upgraded at a later date to the Eagle II through the installation of extra fuel tanks which boost the aircraft’s fuel capacity by 330kg (730lb).
Uvalde, Texas-based Sierra says 640 Citation 500/501s were built by Cessna of which 365 are eligible for re-engining. “Early aircraft have the older autopilot which at present time is not certifiable for reduced vertical seperation minimum.”
Source: Flight International
