Cessna CEO Scott Ernest updated the European market on Cessna’s current business state during the EBACE show in Geneva. Since it’s primarily a business aviation venue, he started with a report on the developmental jets in the company design pipeline. He said, “The Garmin 3000-equipped Citation M2 is right on track,” adding that the new airplane is sold out for its first two years of production. The M2 is based on the CJ1 platform, but has improved engines and a revised interior layout. It first flew on March 9, 2012.
In other jet projects, the new Citation X (with upgraded engines and avionics) is due for certification by year end, and the Garmin G5000-equipped Latitude is expected to be flying in January 2014 and certified in 2015. Wind tunnel tests on the larger Longitude verify top speeds at the expected Mach 0.86, said Ernest. “It is probably the largest jet that Cessna will make in the next five years,” he said.
The news on the Citation Mustang is not so good. Ernest cited pessimistic sales forecasts for light jets, and the low prices on the used market. He said, “In response, we have adjusted our production volume down for our smaller jets.”
On the piston side, Ernest said the diesel Turbo Skylane JT-A is expected to receive FAA certification next month, as is the composite TTx. Touted as the “fastest fixed-gear single-engine airplane in the world” the four-seat, $734,000 TTx has a max cruise speed of 235 knots, 1,250-nautical-mile range and a useful load of 1,000 lb. Production is sold out through the end of this year.
