This month, Cessna’s newest jet, the Citation Latitude has officially earned FAA type certification, which was the last step needed to make the aircraft available to consumers. Deliveries of the new business jet are scheduled to begin by the end of this summer.
The Citation Latitude is said to have the most spacious cabin environment in the mid-size category, being the first business jet to “combine a roomy, flat floor, stand-up cabin, with a midsize price and best-in-class operating costs.”
“From inception, we looked at every aspect of how we design, build and deliver new products to the market with the goal to further improve upon the key attributes that make the Citation so highly esteemed,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO of Textron Aviation. “Throughout the certification program, the Latitude demonstrated breakthrough results, which are evident in the aircraft’s performance and value proposition. And now, customers can experience firsthand how the Latitude can reduce operating costs, while increasing productivity and profitability for their businesses.”
Here’s everything to know about the new Citation Latitude:
- The Citation Latitude’s transcontinental and European performance capabilities were showcased during a month-long regional demonstration tour in May. The aircraft flew non-stop from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Valencia, Spain in just over 5 hours demonstrating notable fuel efficiency that would allow the aircraft to continue to several additional European destinations.
- The Latitude is entering the market with enhanced performance specifications, including increased range of 2,850 nm at long-range cruise and 2,700 nm at high-speed cruise.
- It has an improved runway performance of 3,580 feet.
- Assembly of the Citation Latitude features a variety of technological advancements including the use of new automated robotics, monolithic machined structures and ergonomically friendly tooling stations, resulting in greater precision throughout the build process. Through these advancements, customers benefit from the highest quality, increased maintenance intervals and reduced aircraft down times and enjoy up to 20 percent lower operating costs than competing aircraft.
- The aircraft accommodates up to 9 passengers.
- The aircraft features a flat cabin floor and 6 feet (1.83 meters) of cabin height
- The aircraft has an electronically-operated cabin door
- Cessna’s Clairity™ cabin-technology system provides connectivity and entertainment to each passenger through their personal electronic devices.
- The Latitude features a new cabin cooling system and a new pressurization system, which provides a 5,950-foot cabin altitude at the aircraft’s maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters).
