Cessna Citation Ten prototype makes first flight

Cessna’s Citation Ten protot ype has made its first flight. The flight lasted more than two hours and included tests of stability and control, handling qualities, functional operations including the autopilot and auto throttle system, engine operability and avionics before landing at Wichita, Kansas.

“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,” 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 programme and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.”

FAA type certification is on track for mid-2013 with first aircraft deliveries planned for the second half of 2013.

“Our first flight 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 is a mid-size aircraft with updated design and performance, enabling it to get to altitude faster and travel farther than the Citation X (Model 750). First announced at the 2010 NBAA convention, the Citation Ten is designed for greater fuel-efficiency and increased comfort for up to nine passengers and two pilots.

Two Rolls-Royce AE 3007C2 engines will take a 36,600 pound (16,600 kilogramme) MTOW Citation Ten off the ground in 5,150 feet (1,569 metres) and give the aircraft a maximum cruise speed of 527 knots an hour (977 kilometres) and a certified ceiling of 51,000 feet (15,545 metres). The Ten has a maximum range of 3,242 nautical miles (6,008 kilometres), putting city pairings such as New York-London, Boston-San Francisco, London-Dubai and Miami-Seattle within convenient one-hop flights.