Cessna Citation Ascend Enters Service With First Customer Delivery

Textron Aviation marks market entry for its latest midsize business jet.

Cessna Citation Ascend Enters Service With First Customer Delivery
[Credit: Textron Aviation]
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Key Takeaways:

  • The Cessna Citation Ascend has officially entered service, with its first production aircraft delivered to a retail customer on December 30, following its FAA type certification in November 2023.
  • As the newest member of the 560XL series, the midsize business jet features a redesigned cockpit with Garmin G5000 avionics, a flat-floor cabin, and improved performance based on customer input.
  • Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, it offers a four-passenger range of 1,940 nautical miles, a maximum speed of 441 ktas, and modern cabin amenities including wireless controls and standard Gogo Avance L3 Max Wi-Fi.
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The Cessna Citation Ascend has entered into service following delivery of the first production aircraft to a retail customer on Dec. 30. The milestone marks the market debut of the midsize business jet, which was introduced in 2023 and received FAA type certification in November.

Built in Wichita, Kansas, the Citation Ascend is the newest member of the 560XL series and features a redesigned cockpit, improved performance and a flat-floor cabin. The aircraft is equipped with the Garmin G5000 avionics suite, including autothrottle capability, three 14-inch high-resolution displays and synthetic vision technology. Textron said the Ascend was developed with customer input and draws design cues from the Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, the Citation Ascend has a maximum speed of 441 ktas, a four-passenger range of 1,940 nautical miles and a 900-pound full-fuel payload. Cabin features include larger windows, wireless control of lighting and temperature, and standard Gogo Avance L3 Max Wi-Fi, with optional global connectivity. Textron said more than 1,000 aircraft in the 560XL series have been delivered since 2000.

Matt Ryan

Matt is AVweb's lead editor. His eyes have been turned to the sky for as long as he can remember. Now a fixed-wing pilot, instructor and aviation writer, Matt also leads and teaches a high school aviation program in the Dallas area. Beyond his lifelong obsession with aviation, Matt loves to travel and has lived in Greece, Czechia and Germany for studies and for work.
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