Cessna Citation M2 makes maiden flight

Cessna has announced that its new Citation M2 business jet has made its first prototype flight.

The flight occurred on Friday March 9, taking off and landing at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport, where Cessna’s main manufacturing facility is located and lasting a little more than 90 minutes.

During the flight tests were run on the avionics system, the autopilot, the engine system, the aircraft systems and on instrument approaches.

The Citation M2 is a new light business jet that fills the gap between Cessna’s Citation Mustang and the Citation CJ family, and this first flight marks a major milestone for the project as Cessna works towards FAA Part 23 certification in the first half of 2013.

“I am excited to say the aircraft performance, handling characteristics and Garmin G3000 avionics were exceptional,” said Peter Fisher, Cessna’s engineering test pilot who flew the prototype.

“With this essential program milestone complete, we are looking forward to a successful flight test program and FAA certification so our customers can soon enjoy this great aircraft.”

With room for two crew and up to six passengers, the US$4.195 million Citation M2 has a maximum cruise speed of 400 knots true airspeed (741 kilometers per hour) and a range of 1300 nautical miles (2408 kilometers). The aircraft can operate at airports with runways as short as 3250 feet (991 meters) and will climb to 41,000 feet (12,497 meters) in 24 minutes.

The Citation M2’s clean cockpit design is anchored by the fully integrated Garmin G3000 avionics suite and the aircraft is powered by a pair of FADEC-controlled Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 turbofan engines.

First deliveries are expected in the second half of 2013.

CAPTION: Cessna President and CEO Scott Ernest, right, congratulates Cessna pilot Pete Fisher after a successful first flight of the Citation M2 prototype. (Cessna)