Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation Ascend has officially entered service, marking a significant milestone in the aircraft's development. The company announced on 31 December that it had delivered the first Ascend to a retail customer, after receiving certification from the Federal Aviation Administration on 5 November.
The Ascend is a new variant within Textron’s Citation 560XL-series, which has been in operation since 2000, with more than 1,000 units delivered. It features a redesigned cockpit, including Garmin’s G5000 avionics package with three 14-inch displays, dual flight management systems, synthetic vision, and autothrottle technology. The aircraft is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D turbofans and designed to accommodate twelve passengers.
Enhanced Performance and Comfort
The new aircraft offers larger windows, a maximum speed of 441 knots (817 km/h), and a range of 1,940 nautical miles (3,593 km) with four passengers. It also provides a full-fuel payload capacity of 408 kg (900 pounds). The aircraft replaces the previous Citation XLS Gen2 variant and aims to deliver improved performance and a luxurious cabin environment.
"The aircraft boasts an entirely new cockpit, improved performance and a luxurious flat-floor cabin,"
said Textron Aviation.
Textron Aviation did not disclose the identity of the customer who received the first unit. The development and rollout of the Ascend reflect the company's commitment to updating its legacy platform with modern technology and increased capabilities, positioning it competitively in the midsize jet market.
