Wichita, Kansas

First production Cessna Citation Ascend rolls out as program progresses

Textron Aviation's Cessna Citation Ascend business jet program continues to advance as the first production unit rolled out of the manufacturing facility in Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft is expected to achieve certification from the FAA later this year.

Employees held a special celebration to mark the major program milestone of the newest Citation business jet in the legendary 560XL series as they continue to design and deliver the best aviation experience for customers.

“Today is a big celebration and thank you to everyone who has been a part of building up to this point. It is your craftsmanship that continues to make milestones like this possible,” said Todd McKee, senior vice president, Integrated Supply Chain. “By infusing new technology and bringing new features to the market, we continue to drive the future for us to build these legendary aircraft.”

With more than 1,000 delivered throughout the past 25 years, owners and operators consistently choose the Cessna Citation 560XL series for its unparalleled combination of performance, comfort, ease of operation, range of mission capabilities and favorable operating efficiencies.

With sleek and modern features, customers can enjoy many of the luxuries found in the bestselling Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude, including a flat floor to provide generous legroom and flexibility for passengers.

The aircraft offers Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines designed to deliver fuel efficiency and increased thrust, as well as Garmin G5000 avionics that feature the latest software and hardware, including autothrottle technology. The Ascend also features a Honeywell RE100 [XL] Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) approved for unattended operations.

With 19 standard USB charging ports and three universal outlets throughout the aircraft, all crew and passengers have access to at least one charging port in the Citation Ascend. The aircraft has a standard seating configuration of nine passengers.