Cessna Citation Ascend Test Program Soars Ahead as Second Flight Test Article Successfully Takes Flight

Rhea-AI Summary

Textron Aviation announced the successful flight of its second Cessna Citation Ascend flight test article (P1). The flight lasted 1 hour and 24 minutes, achieving a maximum altitude of 13,500 feet and a speed of 308 knots. This milestone follows the initial flight of the Ascend prototype in 2023. The Citation Ascend, unveiled at the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), is set to enter service in 2025. The P1 aircraft, which is the first conforming production flight test aircraft, will primarily test systems including propulsion, human factors, environmental control, and avionics. The certification program expects to complete testing with the two test articles and has accumulated over 400 flight hours so far.

Positive

• Successful flight of second Cessna Citation Ascend test article.
• Flight lasted 1 hour and 24 minutes, reached 13,500 feet, and hit 308 knots.
• First conforming production flight test aircraft.
• Accumulated over 400 flight hours in the certification program.
• Program shows strong momentum and confidence from the engineering team.

Negative

• No mention of potential delays or risks in the certification process.
• 2025 entry into service date means revenue generation is still years away.

WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Textron Aviation today announced the successful flight of its second Cessna Citation Ascend flight test article (P1) as certification momentum builds for the newest Citation business jet. The milestone flight follows the Ascend prototype, which completed its first flight in 2023 marking the P1 aircraft the first conforming production flight test aircraft. The Citation Ascend business jet was unveiled during the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), and the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025.

Textron Aviation | Cessna Citation Ascend P1 (Photo: Business Wire)

The Cessna Citation Ascend is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

The initial flight of P1, piloted by Michael Bradfield and Maurice Girard, lasted 1-hour and 24-minutes, reaching a max altitude of 13,500 feet with a max speed of 308 knots. The aircraft will be used for the flight test program, primarily for systems testing, including propulsion, human factors, environmental control and avionics.

"Today’s successful flight of the second Citation Ascend test article marks another achievement for the program, and that’s a testament to the many great employees involved with this project,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering. “The aircraft has continued to perform well through the phases of testing, and I continue to be confident in the program’s momentum and in our skilled team members who make it possible.”

The Citation Ascend flight test certification program is expected to complete certification testing with the two test articles – the prototype and P1. To date, the program has accumulated more than 400 flight hours.

About the Cessna Citation Ascend

Textron Aviation designed the Citation Ascend based on customer feedback for ultimate performance and comfort.

With sleek and modern features, customers will enjoy many of the luxuries found in the bestselling Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude, including a flat floor to provide generous legroom and flexibility for passengers. The aircraft will offer Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines designed to deliver fuel efficiency and increased thrust, as well as state-of-the-art Garmin G5000 avionics that feature the latest software and hardware, including autothrottle technology. The Ascend also features a Honeywell RE100 [XL] Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) approved for unattended operations.

With 19 standard USB charging ports and three universal outlets throughout the aircraft, all crew and passengers will enjoy access to at least one charging port in the Citation Ascend. The aircraft has a standard seating configuration of nine passengers.

For more information and aircraft specifics, visit cessna.com/ascend.

About Textron Aviation

For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com| www.defense.txtav.com| www.scorpionjet.com.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors; and demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240613961164/en/

Media:

Kevin Severin

+1.316.799.5488

kseverin@txtav.com

txtav.com

Source: Textron Aviation

FAQ

What is the latest update on the Cessna Citation Ascend test program?

The second Cessna Citation Ascend test article (P1) successfully completed its flight, lasting 1 hour and 24 minutes.

When is the Cessna Citation Ascend expected to enter service?

The Citation Ascend is expected to enter service in 2025.

What were the flight details for the Cessna Citation Ascend P1?

The flight lasted 1 hour and 24 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 13,500 feet and a speed of 308 knots.

How many flight hours has the Citation Ascend certification program accumulated?

The certification program has accumulated more than 400 flight hours.

What systems will the P1 aircraft test?

The P1 aircraft will test systems including propulsion, human factors, environmental control, and avionics.

Who piloted the successful P1 flight for the Cessna Citation Ascend?

The flight was piloted by Michael Bradfield and Maurice Girard.