CJ4 Certified

Cessna announced on Saturday that its new CJ4 received type certification by the FAA. That paves the way for deliveries to begin later this year. The aircraft is the largest in the CJ line and seats eight passengers in standard configuration with an aft lav. It will cost about $9 million. Of course, it comes with the latest in electronics and flight management goodies, including a four-screen Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite with electronic charts and graphical weather, TCAS II, EGPWS Class A TAWS, Dual Mode S Diversity transponders with ADS-B out capability, Multi-Scan weather radar, Emergency Descent Mode, and an essential electrical bus. It's powered by Williams FJ-44A FADEC engines that were certified Feb. 2.As expected, the aircraft's performance numbers came in better than the design targets.

At maximum takeoff weight of 16,950 pounds, the aircraft will get off in 3130 feet and climb directly to 45,000 feet in 28 minutes. Range with two pilots and five passengers is 2002 nm and maximum cruise speed is 453 knots. Minimum landing distance is 2,700 feet at maximum landing weight (15,500 pounds). Creature comforts include Rockwell Collins' new Venue system with Blu Ray and HD monitors, moving map displays and XM radio.