Cessna has announced major improvements to its Citation X, enabling operators to be able to carry up to seven passengers with full fuel in a typically equipped plane.

The changes to the X - highlighted by an increase in gross weight and engine thrust, as well as a substantially expanded Citation standard equipment list - are effective on all aircraft delivered after January 1, 2002, beginning with serial number 173.

The Citation X's maximum take-off weight will be increased by 400 pounds, bringing it from 35,700 lbs to 36,100 lbs. The gross weight change delivers a notable increase in the passenger capacity at full fuel payload.

Said a spokesman: "The objective of introducing a five per cent increase in the Rolls Royce AE 3007C-1 engines is to significantly reduce the required take-off field lengths, thereby opening up many additional airports to Citation X operators."

Previously optional equipment that will become standard on the 2002 Citation X include: Honeywell's traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS II) and enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPW), a Litton locator beacon (ELT), the Teledyne angle-of-attack indicator, tail flood lights, red strobe lights, pulse-lights, 76 cu ft oxygen bottle, lighted chart holder, SATCOM provisions, cockpit voice recorder, VHF AFIS, and provisions for a flight data recorder and second high frequency transceiver.

Meanwhile, Cessna has announced plans to begin construction on a new Citation Service Center in Orlando, Florida. Located on the west side of the Orlando International Airport, it will be completed in mid-2002 and will have a total of 155,000 square feet. It will replace the original Service Center that currently serves Citation customer in the southeastern US, Central America and South America.

With nearly 97,000 square feet of hangar space, the new facility is designed to accommodate all Citation models and will continue to offer a full range of inspections, maintenance, repair, overhaul and other services to a growing fleet of more than 3,000 Citation business jets.