Cessna's Citation Latitude has achieved performance targets very early in the testing and development program.
In the aircraft’s third only flight, the Latitude prototype achieved full envelope performance for maximum speed (440 KTAS), Mach speed (0.80) and altitude (45,000 ft). The aircraft was cleared for a direct climb to 45,000 ft with a take-off weight of 13,154 kg.
Scott Ernest, Cessna president and CEO, remarked: “Following last week’s first flight, we are seeing the Citation Latitude’s high-speed capabilities. The Latitude is an aircraft that delivers a lot of firsts from Cessna – the wide fuselage, the stand-up cabin with a flat floor, auto-throttles, the electric door and the improved cabin environment.
"All these achievements stem from listening to the voice of the customer and getting down to the business of delivering what customers need and desire."
The Latitude is on target for certification in the second quarter of 2015.