 |
| Cessna Citation Longitude. Photo: Textron |
[Avionics Today 06-13-2016] Textron Aviation subsidiary Cessna Aircraft Company has powered the electrical distribution system on the revolutionary Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize jet, completing the next major step in the aircraft’s path to accomplish first flight this summer. This milestone occurred three weeks after the company successfully mated the wing and fuselage of the first Longitude in May.
“The power on stage allows our team to begin verifying the aircraft’s electrical power system and paves the way for functional tests and engine runs that will get us to first flight in the coming months,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO of Textron Aviation.
The Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet includes the Garmin G5000 flight deck and is powered by Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines with fully integrated autothrottles. The aircraft offers a full fuel payload of 1,500 pounds, a maximum cruise speed of 476 knots, and a high-speed range of 3,400 nautical miles.
The jet will also feature Rockwell Collins flight controls, including Rockwell Collins’ horizontal stabilizer trim actuator, which controls the pitch of the horizontal stabilizer in order to reduce drag and trim the aircraft for optimal efficient flight. Its dual-load-path design provides two independent attachment points between the horizontal stabilizer and the airframe for added safety. Also, the flap actuator system from Rockwell Collins extends and retracts the trailing-edge flap system, which is used to increase lift during slow flight.