Wichita, KS - October 18, 2004 - The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Cessna Aircraft Company full type certification for the Model 525B Citation CJ3. The newly certified Citation completed 150 hours of function and reliability testing on Saturday, October 9, 2004. The type certificate was presented to CJ3 Design Team by the FAA Central Region Aircraft Certification Office during a small ceremony held at Cessna's Mid-Continent facility in Wichita, Kansas, on the afternoon of Friday, October 15, 2004.
"This has been a remarkable year for Cessna. The CJ3 marks the third Citation to receive the FAA's signature of approval in 2004," said Jack J. Pelton Cessna's President and CEO. "From the development of the concept through FAA test flights, the Citation CJ3 has repeatedly surpassed or equaled performance specifications we originally announced. The results of the CJ3 flight tests have impressed everyone at Cessna, and we know this airplane will amaze customers. Everyone at Cessna who helped turn this airplane into reality should be enormously proud of this great aircraft."
Cessna plans to deliver the first Citation CJ3 later this year. Customers taking delivery of the CJ3 will have improvements to the already successful Citation CJ2 features plus a longer cabin; new Williams International FJ44-3A engines; and advanced fully integrated Collins avionics system. The CJ3 is certified for single pilot operation and has a maximum cruise speed of 417 knots at 33,000 feet. With two pilots, full fuel, four passengers and baggage, the CJ3 offers over 1,800 nm of range with NBAA IFR reserves. Service ceiling is 45,000 feet and the maximum gross takeoff weight is 13,870 lbs.
The CJ3's certification comes two years after the program was announced at the 2002 NBAA Convention. The airplane made Cessna history on April 17, 2003, when it took its first and second flight on the same day. Cessna has received over 100 non-refundable orders for the Citation CJ3.
Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT). Textron is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in 40 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, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.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.