Aircraft

Cessna has flown the Williams International FJ44-4A jet engine aboard its Citation CJ2 testbed aircraft, marking the first flight of the new turbofan destined for the eight-passenger, $8 million CJ4.

The engine, which generates 3,400lb-thrust (15.1kN), de-rated from 3,600lb, “exceeded” Cessna’s expectations during the 50-minute flight, according to the company. The CJ4, a larger-cabin, longer-range version of the CitationJet, is slated for first flight by mid-2008, certification by the end of 2009 and deliveries by mid-2010.

Williams engines power all aircraft in the CJ line, including the CJ3 with its 2,820lb-thrust FJ44-3A. The FJ44-4A will have a 5,000hr overhaul interval, 1,000hr more than the FJ44-3A time-between-overhaul.