Cessna launches Citation M2 business jet

Cessna has launched its Citation M2, a new light business jet that fills the gap between the Citation Mustang and the Citation CJ family.

The Citation M2 features Garmin G3000 avionics, engines similar to those found in the Citation CJ series and an all-new cabin design. The aircraft is an aluminum airframe with a T-tail and a straight wing that includes LED lights.

With room for two crew and up to six passengers, the US$4.195 million Citation M2 has a maximum cruise speed of 400 KTAS (741 kilometers per hour) and a range of 1300 nautical miles (2408 kilometers). The M2 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 is powered by a pair of FADEC-controlled Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 turbofan engines, each producing 1965 pounds of thrust. This new and improved version of Williams’ FJ44 engine incorporates improvements gleaned from more than six million hours of operation of the 4000 FJ44 engines in service.

The FJ44-1AP-21 produces 10-15 per cent more altitude thrust (depending on conditions) and consumes less fuel at long range cruise than the previous version, enabling the M2 to climb quickly and cruise fast and far. The engine also provides significantly higher performance at hot and high conditions and an increase in the time between overhaul (TBO) from 3500 to 4000 hours.

“Operator feedback and owner insight have indicated a market for a Citation with the size, speed and range of the Citation M2,” Cessna President and CEO Scott Ernest said. “We expect to see customers new to the Citation family, Mustang owners looking for a logical next step or CJ1+ operators who want a new, more advanced Citation.”

CAPTION: The cockpit of the Citation M2. (Cessna)

The Citation M2’s clean cockpit design is anchored by the fully integrated Garmin G3000 avionics suite that seamlessly integrates numerous system components into an easy-to-use flightdeck to simplify operation and enhance situational awareness during flight and when taxiing. The G3000 system centers on three 14.1-inch LCD primary and multi-function displays and two infrared, touch-screen control panels. The touch-screen controllers react to changes in an infrared grid rather than traditional surface resistance sensors for better response under a variety of conditions. The controllers allow multi-function display page navigation as well as audio and FMS control. The MFD and PFD provide split-screen capability so that two separate vertical pages may be viewed side-by-side. Pilots may simultaneously view maps, charts, TAWS, flight planning or weather.

CAPTION: The cabin of the Citation M2. (Cessna)

From the cockpit divider aft through the rear lavatory, the main passenger cabin of the Citation M2 is 58 inches wide (1.47 meters) and 11 feet (3.3 meters) long with a 5-inch dropped aisle providing a cabin height of 57 inches (1.45 meters). Eight large windows, roomy pedestal seats and intuitive cabin appointments highlight the all-new interior.

Cessna will display a cabin mock-up of the Citation M2 at the 64th NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention in Las Vegas from October 10-12. The manufacturer expects to fly the M2 for the first time in the first half of 2012, with FAA Part 23 certification expected in the first half of 2013, followed by deliveries beginning in the second half of 2013.

(Cessna)