Textron Aviation announced this week that it has achieved steep approach certification for two of its Cessna Citation products — the Sovereign+ and Latitude. Both the FAA and EASA have signed off on the certification, which allows the midsize jets to fly approaches as steep as 6.65 degrees. A typical approach path angle is 3 degrees.
The certification is required for flights into several popular airports, such as London City Airport (LCY) — the closest airport to central London; and Lugano Airport near Lugano, Switzerland, in the foothills of the Alps near the Italian border.
The steep approach capability will come standard on the Sovereign+ and Latitude. “This certification illustrates our commitment to ensure our customers have the performance and flexibility they need to maximize their total ownership experience,” said Rob Scholl, Textron Aviation’s senior vice president of sales and marketing.
The Citation Latitude was certified in 2015 and is capable of carrying up to nine passengers inside a six-foot cabin with a flat floor. With four on board, the Latitude can fly up to 2,700 nm in high-speed cruise. The top speed of the Latitude is 446 ktas.
The 12-passenger Sovereign+ has an impressive takeoff field length of 3,530 feet. Range-enhancing winglets aid in adding legs to the airplane, which can fly 3,200 nm. Its top speed is 460 knots.
