Ascend earns FAA certification after 1,000+ flight hours

Textron has secured FAA type certification for the Cessna Citation Ascend, with customer deliveries expected to begin later this year.

Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation Ascend, part of the Citation 560XL series, has received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. Entry into service is expected later this year following a successful flight test programme exceeding 1,000 flight hours.

“The Citation Ascend’s successful flight test program reflects our teams’ expertise in obtaining FAA certification while designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers,” says Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering & Programs at Textron Aviation. “We sought our customers’ feedback, and the result is a business jet that offers customers the latest innovations in performance, productivity and efficiency.”

The Ascend features a new cockpit with Garmin G5000 avionics, autothrottle, synthetic vision technology and optional CPDLC for more direct routing between North America and Europe. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, the aircraft reaches speeds of up to 441 ktas and offers a range of 1,940 nm.

The cabin includes a flat floor, 19 USB charging ports, wireless controls, a quiet acoustic environment and optional Bongiovi immersive sound. The aircraft can seat up to 12 passengers and offers enhanced comfort, connectivity and efficiency for business jet operators.