Cessna Aircraft Company today announced on November 21 that the second aircraft in the Citation Longitude flight test program successfully completed its first flight just over one month after the first prototype aircraft took to the skies in October.
The flight lasted 90 minutes and achieved all its performance targets.
The aircraft will be used in the flight test program primarily for systems testing, while further expanding the aircraft’s performance envelope.
“In the 12 months since we announced the Citation Longitude, our team has been right on target in meeting the program milestones, further validating our industry-leading development process,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO, Textron Aviation.
“We are coming off a successful NBAA where we announced increased performance numbers and debuted the prototype aircraft less than a month after first flight – all of which are fueling robust customer interest around the world. The team remains focused and we are charging into 2017 with great momentum on the program.”
Cessna announced earlier this month that the Longitude has achieved an improved range of 3,500 nautical miles, an increase of 100 nautical miles, and a full fuel payload of 1,600 lb, an increase of 100 lb.
The second Longitude now joins the flight test program, which will include multiple flying aircraft in addition to several ground-test articles and more than 40 additional test articles for various sub-systems.
November 24, 2016
