Cessna's Citation CJ4 nears FAA type certification

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has completed all certification testing and is in the final stages of Federal Aviation Administration type certification approvals. Deliveries are set to begin later this year.

The Citation CJ4 offers an extensive standard equipment list including a four-screen Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite with electronic charts and graphical weather, TCAS II, EGPWS Class A TAWS, Dual Mode S Diversity transponders with ADS-B out capability, Multi-Scan weather radar, Emergency Descent Mode, and an essential electrical bus.

The Citation CJ4 also offers enhanced performance over early projections with a maximum cruise speed of more than 450 knots (838 km/h) and a maximum range of just over 2,000 nautical miles (3,707 km). It's capable of a direct climb to 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) in just 28 minutes.

The aircraft will also debut the new Williams International FJ44-4A electronically controlled (FADEC) engines. The cabin can be configured for up to eight passengers, plus a standard, belted aft lavatory. The Citation CJ4 also features the Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system that includes BluRay DVD with HD monitors and XM radio.

Three Citation CJ4 test aircraft completed more than 1,100 flights and accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours.