NBAA 2016: The Cessna Longitude just got longer
I and some of our US team are in Orlando this week for NBAA’s 2016 Business Aviation Exhibition & Convention (NBAA-BACE). And one of the items on our to do list is a good look at the Citation Longitude, making its public flying debut here.
This is Cessna’s latest bigger move into the super-midsize segment, and the $29 million Longitude is already exceeding performance targets in recent tests and in its first official flight last month.
Green is the colour
One of the most immediately eye-catching features of the Longitude here is its colour. The green and blue certainly stands out amongst the sea of white aircraft, but it’s not a design decision by Cessna. This is what all aircraft look like without their finished livery, or outer paint job!
The green ‘undercoat’ is a zinc-based primer and while theoretically many aircraft can perform perfectly well without a top coat of paint, most will be painted another colour on top. White is traditional, originally chosen for its reflective quality which allows the aircraft to avoid overheating. Although advances in technologies these days mean most aircraft can safely be painted in many different colours, white is still the choice for most.
Out-flying its targets
The Longitude program was first launched in May 2012, as a larger and longer range version of the Citation Latitude. And Cessna owner Textron announced yesterday that its official payload and range have exceeded its performance targets.
The Longitude’s enhanced range is 3,500 nautical miles (100 nm more than originally expected) and full fuel payload of 1,600 pounds (adding 100 pounds to the initial target).
This will put the Longitude firmly in the market for popular longer itineraries, such as Paris to New York or London to Dubai.
Inside the cabin, the 12-seat Citation Longitude is designed specifically for maximum passenger comfort, offering a stand-up, flat-floor cabin and a class-leading walk-in baggage compartment fully accessible in flight. It also offers the lowest cabin altitude in its class at 5,950 feet and state-of-the-art cabin technology allows passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile device, with high-speed wifi onboard.
Cessna moving into the big league
Cessna has gradually upscaled its aircraft launches in recent years. First there was the 2,850 nm Citation Latitude – which became available for charter in September 2015 and is starting to become a popular charter aircraft now, as availability increases.
Then there’s the Longitude, which is expected to certify later this year, with entry-into-service in 2017.
And even further up the size scale is the $30 – $33 million Hemisphere, which will offer another 1,000+ nm, with a first flight expected in 2019.
Currently private jet customers switch to rival manufacturers when they want to charter a longer range cabin. But Textron are clearly hoping this will not be the case for too much longer.
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