Cessna celebrated the first flight of its Cessna Ten, a faster and updated version of the Citation X that may preserve Cessna’s title to the fastest business jet. Cessna says the Ten will do 527 knots at maximum cruise with a maximum range of 3242 nm. Although it looks like a Citation X, it’s actually about 15 inches longer and the Rolls Royce AE 3007C2 engines also give it a certified ceiling of 51,000 feet. “Our first flight, today, was a great success. We have a great team working on this project and I know they will take this dominant aircraft up a notch,” said Kelly Reich, business leader for the Cessna Citation X and Ten, in a news release.
The aircraft also uses the latest panel from Garmin, the G5000, which is state of the art for navigation, synthetic vision, systems and communications. “The high-resolution multi-function displays have split-screen capability, allowing continuous monitoring of engine, flight control, hydraulic and electrical systems. “Garmin’s SVT synthetic vision technology on the primary flight displays gives the crew a virtual reality view of runways, terrain, traffic and obstacles. Electronic charts with aircraft position overlay provide dynamic situational awareness during approach.” Certification is planned for early 2013 and first deliveries in the second half of 2013.
