Citation X Grows Winglets

Friday, September 10, 2010 at 11:57 PM ET

Verified

Cessna Citation X equipped with
Winglet Technologies winglets as
an aftermarket STC modification
installed by Cessna. Cessna

Key Takeaways:

The Cessna Citation X is uniquely designed as the fastest civilian aircraft in service, capable of cruising at speeds up to Mach .92 due to its distinctive aerodynamic features.
The addition of carefully engineered winglets significantly enhances the Citation X's performance by improving climb rates to higher, more fuel-efficient altitudes and extending its range by hundreds of miles, resulting in an average 5% fuel saving.
These winglets also boost the aircraft's payload capacity for hot-day/high-elevation operations and improve overall efficiency without compromising the Citation X's signature high-speed capabilities or flying qualities.

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In many ways the Cessna Citation X is an extreme airplane. Its radically swept wing, huge wing-to-fuselage fairing and enormous vertical fin are unique in the business jet world. The X looks like it does because that’s what it took to reach the goal of being the fastest civilian airplane now in service.

With its limit speed of Mach .92 the X can cruise up to about 528 knots true airspeed. A more typical fast jet cruise speed is around Mach .82, which equals about 470 knots. And lots of jets, particularly the extremely popular Boeing 737, cruise well under Mach .80, which is 459 knots. The Citation X does stand out.