Textron Aviation has secured Federal Aviation Administration certification for two Cessna Citation light business jet variants, the M2 Gen2 and CJ3 Gen2.
Wichita, Kansas-based Textron Aviation disclosed at the NBAA show in Las Vegas on 13 October that both updated Gen2 aircraft had recently cleared certification.
Chief executive Ron Draper says both Gen2 jets are set to enter service this year, as is the still-uncertificated Citation Ascend.
“We announced this at the show two years ago, and I’m pleased to announce that that is now certified,” he says of the M2 Gen2. “Those are already rolling off the production line… and entering service in Q4 of this year.”
Certification of the M2 Gen2 comes after Textron Aviation completed nearly 300 flight-test hours with the FAA. The new variant comes with Garmin’s Autothrottle system as a standard feature, which is aimed at providing protection from engine exceedance incidents and reducing pilot workloads.
The airframer says that the Autothrottle system “supports the most delivered light-entry jet’s capabilities by optimising engine power, simpliflying flight-management and increasing overall operating efficiency”.
Textron Aviation put the CJ3 Gen2 – the larger of the two – through about 445 flight-test hours prior to clearing the final certification hurdle. The variant also integrates Garmin’s Autothrottle and, incorporating customer feedback, provides more legroom for pilots as part of ”enhancements throughout the aircraft”.
The CJ3 Gen is also due to enter service in the fourth quarter.
“I love flying this plane, as a pilot,” Draper says.
As for the Ascend, Textron Aviation flew a production-conforming example into Henderson Executive airport on 13 October, marking the first appearance of the 560XL refresh at a major air show. The aircraft made the journey from Wichita using sustainable aviation fuel.
Textron has logged some 1,000 test-flight hours with the Ascend.
