GENEVA, Switzerland - Textron Aviation in Wichita, Kan., has announced the newest Cessna Citation business jet in its 560XL series, the Cessna Citation Ascend. Textron Aviation says that its Citation Ascend is designed to bring an entirely new cockpit, improved performance and a more luxurious cabin to the midsize business jet market. Currently under development, the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025.
The Cessna Citation Ascend will offer state-of-the-art Garmin G5000 avionics featuring the latest software and hardware, including:
- Autothrottle technology to reduce pilot workload and provide flight-envelope protection
- Three large, 14-inch ultra high-resolution displays with split-screen capabilities
- Standard dual flight management systems
- Synthetic vision to render obstacles like mountains or terrain
- Cockpit voice and data satellite transceiver to make satellite calls from the cockpit
- New Garmin advanced weather detection and avoidance technology
- Second Iridium data radio and CPDLC to support customers with more direct routing between North America and Europe (optional)
The Citation Ascend will offer Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines. The engines use new materials and technology — including a more efficient high-pressure compressor, an enhanced single stage high-pressure turbine module, and an upgraded exhaust mixer. The PW545D engines from the Montreal-based company are also equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), enabling the new autothrottle technology and ensuring they operate at their maximum efficiency and with reduced pilot workload.
Preliminary performance targets indicate:
- A four-passenger range of 1,900 nm at high-speed cruise power (with an estimated maximum range of 2,100 nm)
- Cruise at 441 kts
- And the ability to climb direct to 45,000 ft
The Citation Ascend will include an unattended Honeywell RE100 auxiliary power unit (APU) with self-management and added bleed leak detection. The unattended operation capability of the APU allows pilots to prepare for every flight efficiently, including heating and cooling the cabin with less fuel and less noise.
The aircraft has a standard seating configuration of nine passengers and will have a maximum seating capacity of 12 passengers.
The main cabin seats will feature an electrically controlled release for swivel and tracking on the seat pedestal. Optional seat quilting, footrests, and electrically controlled lumbar support make relaxing easy while side-facing seats will feature fold-down seat backs to provide additional in-flight accessible storage space.
Customers will be able to wirelessly control the cabin lighting, temperature, window shades and onboard entertainment. They can also select an optional Bongiovi sound system.
The Citation Ascend will include all-new cabin windows that are nearly 15 percent larger and offer more natural light with translucent and opaque shade settings, wireless shade control, and optional lighted window rings to enhance the cabin’s illumination and mood.
The Citation Ascend will include standard GoGo U.S. Avance L3 Max Wi-Fi and optional U.S. Avance L5 Wi-Fi. The aircraft also offers Optional Aviator 300 for Wi-Fi and worldwide calling.
