Cessna Citation Longitude & Latitude Business Jets Reach Milestones
Cessna, a Textron Aviation brand along with Beechcraft and Hawker, recently accomplished a couple of firsts with the company’s super-midsized flagship Citation Longitude business jet and midsize Citation Latitude business jet. Specifically, the twin-engine Longitude is making its debut in the Asia-Pacific region last week as part of the 2018 Singapore Airshow running Feb. 6-11.
The Latitude, meanwhile, recently received type certification in China and Australia and began deliveries in the region. In addition to the Latitude and Longitude, Textron planned to have its Beechcraft King Air 350i, Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprops, and Citation CJ4 and Citation Sovereign+ jets at the Singapore Airshow. Textron also has Cessna Caravan; Beechcraft King Air 300s, 200s, and 90s; and numerous other aircraft for sale.
“A Superb Fit”
Cessna is expecting the Longitude to receive Federal Aviation Administration certification sometime early this year. Already, five test aircraft in the Longitude flight program have completed more than 800 flights and racked up 1,900-plus flight hours. The aircraft, which Cessna is manufacturing at its Wichita headquarters, has notably been traversing the country since late 2017 as part of a 46-city U.S. tour to demo the aircraft. To date, the Longitude has visited 27 cities and surpassed 43,000 miles on the tour.
“We are thrilled to showcase the Citation Longitude at the Singapore Airshow and bring this revolutionary aircraft to this market for customers to experience for themselves,” said Jessica Pruss, Cessna president, Asia Pacific sales and marketing. Pruss added that the Longitude’s cabin comfort, low operating cost, maintenance intervals (800 hours or 18 months), and speed and range are “a superb fit for this region.”
Pertinent to the Asia-Pacific region, Cessna says that with a full fuel payload of 1,600 pounds (726 kilograms), the Longitude has a 3,500-nautical-mile (6,482-kilometer) range. That leaves the aircraft capable of traveling nonstop from Singapore to Beijing or from Hong Kong to Mumbai hauling four passengers. The aircraft can seat up to 12 people.
Certified & Ready
With the latest China and Australia certifications, the Citation Latitude now hold certifications in 43 countries. Entering service in August 2015, the aircraft’s global fleet now tops 100 and 60,000 flight miles (5,278 kilometers). Featuring a flat floor and a 6-foot (1.8-meter) cabin height, the aircraft also integrates new cabin cooling and pressurization systems supporting a 5,950-foot (1,803-meter) cabin altitude at the aircraft’s maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet (13,636 meters). Elsewhere, the Latitude has a 446 KTAS (513 mph, 826 km/h) maximum cruise speed, 2,544-pound (1,154-kilogram) maximum payload, and a 1,245-pound (564.7-kilogram) baggage capacity.