Cessna Citation XLS

Isabel Goyer

Tuesday, March 02, 2021 at 03:40 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Cessna has introduced the Citation XLS, an updated version of its popular Excel model, retaining its excellent short-field performance.
Key performance upgrades include new Pratt & Whitney PW545B engines, offering increased thrust, improved climb to 45,000 feet in 25 minutes, and a cruise speed of 428 knots.
The XLS features new Honeywell Primus Epic 1000 Control Display System avionics and a redesigned nine-place interior with wider seats, LED lighting, and veneer cabinetry, making over $600,000 worth of previous options standard.
FAA certification is expected soon, with initial customer deliveries projected around mid-year.

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Cessna has launched its latest Citation, the XLS, an update of the company’s popular Excel. The XLS features the same fuselage as the Excel and its straight wing for excellent short-field performance, but it adds the new Pratt & Whitney PW545B engines, which provide 3,991 pounds of thrust apiece, an increase of 4.9 percent over the Excel. At maximum takeoff weight, the XLS can climb directly to 45,000 feet in 25 minutes and cruise at 428 knots.

Also new with the XLS is the Honeywell Primus Epic 1000 Control Display System (CDS), which features a trio of eight-by-ten LCDs. The menus of the displays are controlled through a cursor-control device through drop down menus.