Textron Aviation completed the first test flight of its second Cessna Citation Ascend last week. The aircraft will join the certification program for the prototype that had first flown in 2023.
The Citation Ascend was launched at EBACE 2023 and is an Excel replacement and offers up to 12 seats in maximum configuration. Textron expects to obtain type certification for the aircraft and place it in service in 2025.
Named P1, the second test jet was piloted by Michael Bradfield and Maurice Girard, who spent 1 hour and 24 minutes in the air, reaching a maximum altitude of 13,500 feet with a maximum speed of 308 knots.
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“Today’s successful flight of the second Citation Ascend test article marks another achievement for the program, and that’s a testament to the many great employees involved with this project,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering. “The aircraft has continued to perform well through the phases of testing, and I continue to be confident in the program’s momentum and in our skilled team members who make it possible.”
Also according to Textron, the Citation Ascend flight test certification program will use the prototype and the P1 aircraft, which has already accumulated more than 400 flight hours.
The Ascend can carry up to 12 passengers in a more spacious cabin with larger windows and a flat floor. The jet can cover a distance of 1,900 nautical miles (3,519 km) at a cruising speed of 441 knots (817 km/h) with four passengers aboard.
The aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines and equipped with a Garmin G5000 avionics suite, including autothrottle technology.
Although it can accommodate up to 12 seats, the aircraft has a standard seating configuration of nine passengers.