Currently in development, the Cessna Citation Columbus will be the new flagship for Cessna's Citation range.

First announced in late 2006 and unveiled in February 2008, the clean sheet concept for the model 850 (Columbus) was developed from customer demand to allow progression from the single-pilot CJ series models to a large cabin Super Mid Size jet.

With a range of up to 4,000nm when carrying eight passengers at Mach 0.8, the Columbus will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW810 turbofans, producing 8,830lbs thrust each, while the cabin will be fitted with Rockwell Collins' ProLine Fusionavionics suite.

The Citation Columbus is scheduled for first flight in 2011, with service entry expected to 2014.

Spotters Guide

The Columbus is a swept-wing aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear and a "T" syyle tail. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW810 FADEC engines are pylon-mounted on the rear fuselage. It has seven windows on each side.