Cessna has revealed that the Citation Sovereign is the first of its aircraft to meet both FAA and JAA requirements during initial certification. Once testing is complete, the Sovereign will also be RVSM compliant.

Since first flight in February 2002, the Sovereign prototype has flown in excess of 60 hours in its first

33 missions.

It has accomplished more than 1,000 flight conditions, which includes flights at 43,000 feet and Mach 0.80.

“The first prototype continues to perform all of its missions with few surprises,” said programme manager Bras Thress.

“For instance, although our initial specifications for the takeoff field length requirement was 4,000 feet, the actual number will be significantly better at 3,690 feet.

“Because it naturally lends itself to short field operations and steep approach, the Sovereign is

an ideal aircraft for the European community.”

The second Sovereign flight test aircraft will focus primarily on certification of systems and hot

and cold weather testing. First engine runs and low speed taxi tests are already completed, with

first flight in mid-summer. First customer deliveries are due to start early in 2004.