Textron Aviation has rolled out the 500th Cessna Citation Latitude from its Wichita, Kansas manufacturing facility, a milestone the company says underscores the aircraft's position as the world's best-selling midsize business jet.
Eric Cardinali, senior vice president of manufacturing, credited the achievement to the workforce behind the aircraft. "The rollout of the 500th Citation Latitude is a testament to the employees who build this aircraft with dedication and pride every day," he said. "Behind every aircraft is a team committed to delivering the quality and craftsmanship our customers expect. This milestone is only possible because of the skill of our workforce and the trust customers continue to place in our products."
The Latitude is built around a stand-up, flat-floor cabin with 6 feet of headroom, paired with strong range and short-field performance. Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president of Global Sales & Marketing, said that combination continues to draw customers to the platform.
"Customers around the world continue to choose the Latitude because it delivers the comfort, versatility and value they need to accomplish their missions with confidence," he said.
The aircraft carries a four-passenger range of 2,700 nautical miles (5,000 km) at high-speed cruise, a class-leading take-off field length of 3,580 feet (1,091 m), seating for up to nine passengers, a maximum cruise speed of 446 ktas and a full-fuel payload of 1,000 pounds.