Wichita, KS - January 30, 2006 – Cessna Aircraft Company's third Citation Mustang – the second production aircraft (serial number two) – made its first flight Friday, joining the Mustang prototype and first production aircraft (serial number one) in the Mustang development and certification flight test program. The three aircraft are being used for Federal Aviation Administration certification targeted for late 2006.
The first flight of this aircraft was a week ahead of schedule, keeping the certification program on track, according to Russ Meyer III, Citation Mustang program manager.
Citation Mustang serial number two will primarily be used for systems certification, function and reliability tests and post-certification service tests. The 90-minute first flight puts the Mustang certification flying program at more than 360 flights and 580 hours. The Citation Mustang prototype is primarily being used for aerodynamic and performance certification, and serial number one is being used for systems and avionics development and certification.
Other recent milestones include certification of the two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F dual-channel FADEC engines Dec. 30 and completion of all 23 major static airframe tests Jan. 9.
The Citation Mustang is the first Citation business jet that will be built at Cessna's Independence, Kan., facility. The prototype and serial numbers one and two were built in Wichita with Independence employees' participation. Serial number three was started in Wichita and transitioned to Independence along with the Mustang production tooling. Serial number four will be the first Mustang started and finished in Independence and will be delivered to Cessna's marketing department as a demonstrator.
The Citation Mustang was announced at the 2002 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. With more than 230 orders, the Citation Mustang is sold out into 2009. The six-seat Citation Mustang will be certified as a FAR Part 23 aircraft, with an anticipated cruise speed of 340 knots, and maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet.
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2005, Cessna delivered 1,157 aircraft and reported revenues of about $3.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 187,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 4,500 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com. Cessna is a subsidiary of Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a $10 billion multi-industry company with 46,000 employees operating in 36 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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 Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.
For additional information or questions about the general aviation industry, contact the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) at 202-393-1500 or www.GAMA.aero.
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