Textron's Cessna Details New Citation Columbus Aircraft; Announces Key Suppliers
(Washington, DC., February 6, 2008) -- Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today revealed at a press conference details of the recently announced large cabin, intercontinental aircraft, the Model 850 Citation Columbus. Cessna was given the go-ahead for the program by the Textron board of directors on Jan. 23.
The Citation Columbus is designed for intercontinental travel with a target range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers) at Mach .80 carrying eight passengers. Joining Cessna on the program are Pratt & Whitney Canada, a United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) company, with its new PW810 engine and Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL), supplying its Pro Line Fusion(TM) advanced avionics system. Cessna has reached an agreement in principle with Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR) to produce the fuselage and empennage. Details will be finalized in the coming weeks.
The all-new aircraft is Cessna's largest business jet to date, and is expected to lead its segment with its combination of speed and range. The aircraft's large, comfortable cabin is expected to exceed top competitor passenger seating room. The Columbus follows the design philosophy of other Citations by using an aluminum airframe, and it contains structural and cabin interior features to maximize interior cabin space.
"We've spent the past five years deepening our customer and segment knowledge so that we can be sure we are introducing a transcontinental aircraft that the market wants," said Jack J. Pelton, chairman, president and CEO of Cessna. "The Citation Columbus is being designed to be the best value proposition in its class. It will be manufactured with a strong focus on reliability and ease of maintenance.
"This provides the perfect platform at the top end of our product line for customers looking for more space, more range, more economy and more capability. This aircraft will be Cessna's greatest achievement."
The Citation Columbus is expected to be the only aircraft in its class capable of 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers) non-stop at Mach .80. Preliminary performance numbers set a maximum cruise speed of 488 knots (904 kilometers per hour, Mach .85), a maximum operating speed of Mach .86, a full fuel payload of 1,950 pounds (886 kilograms) and takeoff field length of 5,400 feet (1,646 meters) at maximum takeoff weight.
"In naming this new model, we looked for a word that embodies the spirit of our company and the performance of this airplane," Pelton said. "With an adventurous and visionary attitude, explorer Christopher Columbus is globally recognized as one of the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean. That inspired us as we worked toward our design goal. The Columbus opens up so many non-stop transcontinental routes: Munich to New York, London to Dubai, Sydney to Singapore, Sao Paulo to Miami, and many other trips."
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