Cessna Rolls Out New Citation Models Cessna unveiled new additions to its successful Citation line of business jets - two all-new models and two "improved" versions of existing jets. The Citation CJ2 debuted on the eve of the NBAA 1998 to specifically address the needs of a large market segment not currently served, Cessna says. "With a CitationJet fleet that is approaching 300 aircraft we have current customers as well as many other buyers who are looking for more comfort, speed and range than is available with the CitationJet," said Cessna vice chairman Gary Hay. "They've been looking for a Citation that simply wasn't available." The CJ2 is a bigger, faster version of the CitationJet, with a longer cabin and tailcone; greater wingspan; and a larger, swept horizontal tail. Compared with the CitationJet, the CJ2's wingspan is three feet greater and the horizontal tail is swept 20 degrees more, and the area is increased by 15%. The combined 35-inch cabin stretch and 17-inch tailcone stretch increases the overall length nearly 47 feet. This allows for two additional passenger seats in the main cabin and a six-seat center club configuration as the standard layout. The CJ2 will be powered by new Williams-Rolls FJ44-2C engines each providing 2,300 pounds of thrust. Top speed of the CJ2 at mid-cruise weight is 400 knots at 33,000 feet. Service ceiling is 45,000 feet and maximum gross takeoff weight is 12,300 pounds. The CJ2 also features the advanced technology Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. The first flight of the prototype is scheduled for second quarter 1999, with type certification in the second quarter of 2000 and first customer delivery in 2001. The CJ2 is priced at $4.3 million. The Citation Sovereign The new Citation Sovereign is the only midsize business jet known to be under development, Cessna says. It pairs the size and comfort of the Citation X cabin with expanded range, making it the "perfect upgrade for the operators of almost 2,000 midsize business jets," said chairman Russ Myers. The Sovereign is 61 feet long with a 63.1 foot wingspan. The all-new wing is swept at 16.3 degrees and is anti-iced with bleed air. The cabin is five feet longer than the Citation Excel at 24 feet. Seating for 10 passengers in a double club plus two-place side facing couch will be available. The Sovereign will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW306Cs and have a range of 2,500nm. It's priced at $11.9 million and is expected to be type certified in 2002. The Citation CJ1 Cessna introduced the "official" successor to its CitationJet as the Citation CJ1. "Other than incremental product enhancements, the CitationJet has had no major changes since it was originally introduced, and the market has been asking for new technology and additional utility," said SVP sales and marketing Roger Whyte. "Our response is the CJ1." While the CJ2 is for those wishing to upgrade jets in performance and size, the CJ1 fills the role of the entry level business jet, Cessna says. "The Citation CJ1 will be the first jet that many of our customers will own," Whyte said. Compared with its predecessor, the CJ1 has 200 pounds greater takeoff weight and slightly larger full fuel payload (675 pounds). The first CJ1 will deliver in early 2000 and is priced at $3.5 million. The Ultra Encore The next evolution in the 560 model line is how Cessna touts its Citation Ultra Encore. In a sequence that began in 1989 with the Citation V and transitioned to the Citation Ultra in 1994, the Citation 560 model line will now be represented by the Ultra Encore. Besides a new name, the Ultra Encore will feature new engines (the PW 535A) with more range and efficiency. Also included are trailing link landing gear, more full fuel payload, an updated interior, improved systems, heated leading edge wing de-icing and improved maintainability. "With the Ultra Encore, we have an aircraft that retains the successes of the Ultra and then goes further," said Hay. The Ultra Encore will be available in the second quarter of 2000. Current price is $6.875 million.