News
FAA verifies Citation X speed
Oct. 31, 2013, Wichita, Kan. - Cessna Aircraft Company recently concluded all high-speed certification flights with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the new Citation X.
October 31, 2013 By Carey Fredericks
This marks the completion of all testing requirements needed to validate the aircraft’s unmatched maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935 (617 mph, 536 ktas), solidifying the Citation X’s position as the fastest civilian aircraft in the world.
Michael Thacker, Cessna senior vice president of Engineering, said: “The high-speed testing of the new Citation X was a success. All responses from the high-speed certification testing were well within the expected performance envelope. While these are the results our engineers fully anticipated, this final round of testing went so smoothly the conditions were completed in fewer flights and hours than planned.”
The high-speed testing regimen includes handling qualities, stability and control in addition to maneuverability conditions at high speeds. The Citation X high-speed validation was accomplished as a result of collaboration with FAA pilots and Cessna’s Engineering Flight Test Team during the past weeks. Over 1,300 hours have been flown in the Citation X test program in preparation for certification, expected in the early part of 2014.
Brad Thress, Cessna senior vice president of Business Jets, said: “Our Citation X customers will be glad to know they will own the fastest civilian aircraft in the world. There is no quicker way to get from point A to point B than inside a Citation X.”
