Cessna has started manufacturing the first four Citation Longitude production aircraft after the third test airframe completed its first flight.
These aircraft are being built using the same advanced tooling and manufacturing techniques that were applied on the Longitude flight test articles
“The speed at which our team is achieving these milestones is an important indication to our customers of the maturity of the aircraft’s systems and the proficiency of our processes,” said Brad Thress, senior vice president of Engineering. “We continue to build momentum in the program, and the team is dedicated to getting this world-class aircraft in the hands of our customers.”
The third aircraft joins the test program less than six months after the first Longitude flew in October 2016. To date, the first two aircraft in the flight test program have completed 125 flights, logging more than 250 hours.
The Longitude is designed to have the lowest cabin altitude in its class at 5950 feet. With seating for up to 12 passengers, the Longitude features a stand-up, flat-floor cabin with a standard double-club configuration and a walk-in baggage compartment accessible in flight.
Textron Aviation announced in October 2016 that the Longitude had achieved a range of 3500 nm and a full-fuel payload of 726 kg. The two Honeywell HTF7700L engines are expected to propel the Longitide to a maximum speed of 426 KTAS.
Certification is expected by the end of 2017.