The Cessna Citation Ten prototype made its first flight Tuesday in Wichita, Kan. The flight lasted more than two hours and included tests of stability and control, handling qualities, functional operations including the autopilot and autothrottle system, engine operability and avionics. Cessna said FAA type certification is on track for mid-2013 with first aircraft deliveries planned for the second half of 2013.
“It took a significant amount of work by a large number of people to get us to this milestone today and I am happy to report that the aircraft performed exceptionally well and handling characteristics were excellent; just as predicted,” said Michael Voigt, Cessna’s engineering test pilot who flew the Ten prototype. “All systems functioned as expected including the Garmin G5000 avionics system. We are looking forward to a successful flight test program and FAA certification.”
“Our first flight, today, was a great success. We have a great team working on this project and I know they will take this dominant aircraft up a notch,” said Kelly Reich, business leader for the Cessna Citation X and Ten.
The Ten mid-size aircraft was first introduced in 2010 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) annual event. Cessna said the Citation Ten is designed for greater fuel efficiency and increased comfort for up to nine passengers and two pilots. More
Two Rolls-Royce AE 3007C2 engines will take a 36,600 pound MTOW Citation Ten off the ground in 5,150 feet and give the aircraft a maximum cruise speed of 527 knots an hour and a certified ceiling of 51,000 feet. It has a maximum range of 3,242 nautical miles, putting city pairings such as New York-London, Boston-San Francisco, London-Dubai and Miami-Seattle within convenient one-hop flights, according to the company. The Ten is 15 inches longer than the Citation X, providing extra passenger legroom in the forward club seating area.
Other systems onboard include Clairity, Cessna’s proprietary cabin management system, and the Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck. The high-resolution multi-function displays have split-screen capability, allowing continuous monitoring of engine, flight control, hydraulic and electrical systems. Garmin’s SVT synthetic vision technology on the primary flight displays gives the crew a virtual reality view of runways, terrain, traffic and obstacles. Electronic charts with aircraft position overlay provide dynamic situational awareness during approach.