Cessna’s newest business jet is the Citation XLS. Certification is expected in the first quarter

of 2004 with first deliveries a couple of months later. Said a spokesman: “The aircraft combines Excel

comfort with significant improvements to performance and avionics. With a 2003 price point of $9,895,000, the XLS is a logical step-up for customers moving up from smaller light jets.”

Preliminary data for the aircraft indicates a 200-pound gross weight increase over the Excel, which allows operators to carry more payload greater distances. Maximum IFR range with two pilots and five passengers is 1,945nm, an increase of 225nm.

The XLS is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW545B engines that provide 3,991 pounds of thrust each, an increase of 4.9 per cent compared to the Excel. At its maximum takeoff weight, the aircraft is able to climb directly to 45,000 feet in 25 minutes, and cruise at 428 ktas once at 45,000 feet.

The nine-place interior includes a six-place centre club-seating configuration, with a two-place belted couch and aft left-handed belted seat.

The XLS will be delivered with a standard warranty of five years or 5,000 hours on the airframe and Honeywell Primus 1000 CDS avionics; three years or 1,500 hours on the Pratt & Whitney engines; and one year for paint, interior and other supplier items.