Wichita, KS - Sept. 26, 2007 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the Citation X featuring Elliptical Winglets made its maiden flight on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The aircraft left Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport at about 1:30 p.m. and returned approximately 90 minutes later. Pilots Mike Voigt and Scott Foster were pleased with the performance of the systems and instrumentation.
The aircraft flew again on Wednesday to begin collecting data to support Winglet Technology LLC's effort to obtain FAA and EASA supplemental type certificates (STC's) for its patented Elliptical Winglet.
Cessna and Winglet Technology engineers expect higher weight/altitude/temperature limits allowing more flexibility when operating from hot/high airports, improved climb performance that allows higher initial cruise altitudes for some takeoff weights, higher maximum cruise speeds at high altitudes, and longer range for a given payload throughout the operating envelope. The STC for the Citation X is targeted for the second quarter of 2008.
For a photo of the first flight, click the link below or paste the URL into your Internet browser: http://www.cessnaemedia.com/gallery_pictures/image-276.jpg
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2006, Cessna delivered 1,239 aircraft, including 307 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $4.2 billion and a backlog of $8.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 190,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 5,000 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. 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 Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at http://www.textron.com.