First announced in 2002, the Cessna Ciatation Mustang became the worlds first fully certified Very Light Jet (VLJ) when it received its FAA type rating in late 2006 and EASA certification six months later in May 2007. Since its first delivery in November 2006 more than 100 Mustangs have been delivered to customers in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Primariy constructed from aluminium alloys, Cessna employed finite element analysis software to allow for a safe reduction of materials by virtual testing for strength and safety in order to keep weight down making the Mustang a VLJ in the truest sense.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F turbofan engines, mounted in pods on the aft fuselage, the Citation Mustang is capable of carrying six people at crusing speeds of 340kts (630kmh) and a range of 1,150nm.

The landing gear is fully retractable and is equipped with anti-skid protection, while early glitches in the Mustangs Garmin 1000 avionics have been ironed out and training programmes and packages are now underway with FlightSafety International for type rating.

Heritage:

The designated Cessna 510 - Citation Mustang first flew on 23 April 2005. The airplane received full type certification from the FAA on September 8, 2006, and to fly into "known icing conditions" on November 9, 2006. It achieved EASA certification on May 25th 2007. The first aircraft was delivered in November 2006 – making it the first VLJ to be delivered to a customer.

Spotters Guide:

The Mustang has three windows on either side with an emergency exit over the central window over the starboard wing. It has low straight wings with a swept T-tail and high set swept tailplane. It has a distinctive extended underbelly which allows for the aircraft's spacious cabin. The twin PWC 615F engines are mid-mounted on the rear fuselage.