Cessna moves into the big league with the Hemisphere
NBAA here in Las Vegas is always the backdrop for exciting new aircraft announcements. This year’s show is no exception, with Cessna holding a pre-event media briefing yesterday, to announce the launch of the Hemisphere, its first long range jet.
The name sums up this aircraft’s capabilities pretty well: Its range of 4,500 nm will give it the ability to cover long distance travel between both of the earth’s hemispheres (if not to quite cut the world in half). And puts it in direct competition with long range market leaders Gulfstream, Dassault and Bombardier.
Having shelved their previous long range jet the Columbus in 2009, this is a confident move from Cessna, now owned by Textron. And a positive market indicator.
The announcement is not that much of a surprise, with the manufacturer having gradually upscaled its aircraft launches in recent years. First there was the 2,850 nm Citation Latitude – which became available for charter in September this year.
Then there was $29 million Longitude, a super mid-size transcontinental player at 3,400 nm. This is expected to certify next year, with entry-into-service in 2017.
And now the $30 – $33 million Hemisphere, which will take Cessna’s many loyal customers another 1,000+ nm further still, with the first flight expected in 2019.
Cessna have a very solid and successful footing in the light and mid-sized jet segments, with their Citation Mustang and Citation XLS the market leaders in both. Textron-stablemate Beechcraft also dominates the executive turboprop sector with the King Air. The combination of cost-effectiveness, reliability and excellent technical support has proved a winning formula, especially in the charter market.
Currently this large pool of happy customers is forced to switch to rival manufacturers when they trade up to a longer range cabin. And with big cabin jets proving resilient to the economic downturn, more and more of them have been doing so.
So with the Longitude, and now the Hemisphere, on offer, and such a strong brand reputation, Textron will gives them good reason to stay loyal.
The Hemisphere’s full specification is yet to be announced but in addition to its 4,500 nm range, it will boast a two-zone, 102 inch wide, stand-up cabin capable of seating up to 12 passengers – this is wider than the Gulfstream G650 or the Falcon 5X. It will be powered by two Snecma Silvercrest engines.
The Longitude is here at NBAA’s static display at Henderson Executive Airport and there’s also an interactive cabin mock-up of the Citation Hemisphere at the show. Both will be highlights for me, and the show’s many other visitors over the coming days.
While we wait for the Longitude and Hemisphere, the Latitude is already available for charter. Speak to our Flight Team for advice on the right aircraft for your trip. Contact us or call +44 1747 642 777 (24 hours).
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