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Aviation History
1969
1969 - 2901.PDF
FLIGHT International, 2 October (969 CESSNA'S JET AIRBORNE 521 CESSNA FLEW the Fanjet 500 business jet for the first time on September 15 and promptly renamed it the Citation. Also announced was a major revision of all performance, weight, dimension and price data from that which was first revealed a year ago. The name Fanjet has been dropped because Cessna considers that the majority of business jets will be turbofan powered by the 1970s. The Citation is the first of the new generation of mini- business-jets powered by Pratt & Whitney's 2,2001b-thrust turbofan JT15D (the Snecma Larzac is also being built for this market), and it has been carefully aimed to be a natural step up from piston-engined twins such as Cessna's own 400 series. Cessna claims that its jet will carry up to seven passengers over stage distances of some 1,300 miles at around 400 m.p.h. and at alttudes of up to 35,000ft. The ability to use grass fields as short as 2,500ft (with the aircraft at light weight) is a significant claim that should have quite a bearing on the possible realisation of Cessna's aim to sell 1,000 Citations over the next ten years. Basic price is still quoted as $595,000 ex-works, but the latest price for a fully equipped aircraft (dual IFR electronics, flight director, autopilot and weather radar) is $695,000 ex-works; this possibly means around £350,000 delivered in the UK duty paid and fully certificated. First deliveries are scheduled for August 1971. The first flight was on September 15 (within a few hours of the target date set two years ago); it took place from the Wichita Municipal Airport and lasted lhr 45min. In command was Mr M. D. "Milt" Sills with Mr J. L. Lesueur. During the flight the aircraft reached 10,000ft and 225kt IAS; up to 20,000ft was planned, but was prevented by the weather. Ground roll for take-off and landing was estimated at around 1,500ft. Flight test data is recorded by cine cameras mounted over the pilot's shoulder and focused on the main panel; additionally, there is a 16-channel telemetry unit to provide instantaneous read-out on the ground. The second prototype is expected to fly next January. The plan is to deliver ten aircraft in 1971 plus up to 20 demonstrators, and thereafter to produce at the rate of up to eight aircraft per month. Certification testing is to FAR Part 25 in the transport aircraft category. Although the latest estimated performance and capability of the Citation is very close to the first specification to be announced, the appearance of the aircraft has changed con siderably. The fuselage is longer and the cabin is bigger and much improved in layout; the engines have been relocated The definitive prototype Cessna Citation differs from the originally announced Fanjet 500 in having a longer fuselage, a taller fin and rudder, a lowered tailplane with dihedral, and engines placed further outboard. Other major changes are described in the text The prototype Cessna Citation (previously named Fanjet 500) made a successful first flight on September 15. Cessna claims that the new generation of mini-jets will bring a big expansion of opportunity for business aviation further outboard to improve airflow and efficiency; and the empennage is totally revised with a much bigger and taller fin, and a lowered tailplane with dihedral. The empty weight of the basic aircraft (furnished, but without electronics) has risen from the initial estimate of 5,2901b to 5,4081b, and the gross weight has been increased from 9,5001b to 10,3501b. The airframe structure is designed to a combination of fail-safe and safe-life principles; two sections of the pressurised fuselage (up 7.51b/sq in to give 8,000ft cabin altitude at 35,000ft) are to be structurally tested. The bigger cabin (204in long, 59.2in wide and 52in high) is offered with four reclining seats plus a corner settee behind the co-pilot; an aisle between the seats leads to a separate lavatory compartment and to additional baggage space at the rear of the cabin. There is also a baggage compartment in the nose. Flight trials to date have revealed a stalling speed of 83kt and an approach speed of 109kt. The cruise speed on maximum continuous power is expected to be about 400 m.p.h. at 26,000ft, and the service ceiling to be over 38,000ft. The design Vmo is 330 m.p.h. IAS, and the Mmo is 0.7. Cessna is planning to sell the Citation on a company-to- customer basis with a basic standard configuration and factory- installed avionics and interior. It is also planned to offer ground and flight training (negotiations are in hand with United for the airline's training school to take a part in this), and one year of computerised maintenance service. A single warranty is expected to cover the entire aircraft and equipment. Because of the price and operational versatility, with special regard to airfield performance, Cessna expects to sell Citations to many customers who have not yet considered buying a jet. According to Mr James B. Taylor, vice-president of Cessna's Commercial Jet Marketing Division and former head of Pan American's Fan Jet Falcon sales effort, market studies indicate that the Citation will "appeal to a broad range of businesses and literally change today's business travel patterns." CESSNA CITATION Estimated Performance Dry errpty weight (excluding avionics) Dry useful load Balanced field length (ISA, s.l.) Take-off to 35ft (ISA, s.l.) Landing from 50ft Rate of climb (ISA, s.l.) Service ceiling (two engines) Service ceiling (one engine) Max cruise speed Take-off weight 9,5001b 5,4081b 4,0921b 3,320ft 2,660ft 1,930ft 3,630ft/min 41,000ft 24,200ft 403 m.p.h. 10,3501b 5,4081b 4,9421b 4,020ft 3,350ft 2,080ft 3,260ft/min 38,400ft 21,400ft 400 m.p.h. Range-payload at gross weight (incl 45min reserve):— Max cruise speed at 30,000ft: 960 miles with 1,3501b 90% max cruise at 35,000ft: 1,400 miles with 1,0001b
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