Cessna Aircraft reports on accession to the flight test program of the second prototype of the newest business jet Citation Latitude, which first flew on July 25, 2014. Aircraft tail number 002 held in the air a little less than three hours, maximum speed of Mach 0.80. Now predsertifikatsinnoy program involves three aircraft Latitude (one in ground tests and two - in flight). Currently, the flight test program performed 150 flights (330 hours).
Recall first flight Citation Latitude made in February 2014. In March this year Latitude «tested" to achieve maximum performance - top speed of 440 knots (506 miles per hour) speed of Mach 0.8 and a height of 45,000 feet. Citation Latitude following tests will focus on the low-speed characteristics.
The second prototype will be the first aircraft to be fitted with a fully operating configuration, including layout of interior and all systems. This plane will debut in October at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in Orlando.
Citation Latitude became another new development Cessna, in which the company used "anti-crisis" approach to design. That is, we use a proven technologies and components, which added new features. Latitude got some nodes of the wing, aft section and engines P & WC PW306D 12-seat Citation Sovereign +. While stretched fuselage and interior is by far the most extensive of the aircraft Cessna, and along the entire length, and it exceeds the 21-foot passenger can stand up.
Citation Latitude combines the payload, speed and range, corresponding to the requirements of customers, with unique capabilities salon. And this despite the fact that its price is $ 16.25 million aircraft has a crew of two and can accommodate nine passengers. Maximum altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 m) and a maximum cruising speed - 440 knots (815 km / h). Climb to 43,000 feet (13,106 m) in just 23 minutes. With a range of 2,500 nautical miles, Latitude falls between Sovereign + (3000 miles) and Citation XLS + (1722 miles).
Citation Latitude features fully integrated avionics Garmin G5000. Interior systems are controlled by an intuitive user interface with touch screen available to each passenger seat, or with personal electronic devices passengers. Citation Latitude will compete in the market segment of business jets range of 2300-2500 miles and a capacity of seven to nine passengers, which is currently "busy" only Bombardier Learjet 75, as the popular Hawker 750 out of production last year. However, in this niche and is committed to its Embraer Legacy 450 (commissioning in the second quarter of 2015).
FAA certification in accordance with Part25 scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2015. Launch customer for the aircraft will be the company EFO Aviation GmbH & Co, which will be commissioned to carry out Air Hamburg Private Jets. And the largest order in the moment is to buy 150 Citation Latitude company NetJets: 25 firm orders and 125 options (contract signed in 2012, the cost is not disclosed).
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