Cessna Aircraft Co., a Textron Inc. company, began deliveries of the newly certified Citation Sovereign+ midsize business jet on Dec. 23, 2013.
The new Citation Sovereign+, whose name now includes a "+" to more clearly differentiate it from its predecessor, brings increased range, updated technologies, and enhanced performance to the company’s established Citation Sovereign business jet.
Cessna achieved Federal Aviation Administration certification on the new Sovereign+, clearing the way for deliveries to order holders from around the world.
Featuring winglets and the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D engines providing 5,852 lb of thrust, the Citation Sovereign+ has a range of 3,000nm (3,452 statute miles), a top speed of 458kts (527mph), and a direct climb to 45,000ft.
The new cockpit is designed around the Cessna Intrinzic Flight Deck powered by Garmin G5000 avionics. An integrated, workload-reducing auto throttle system streamlines the pilots’ tasks. New cabin amenities include the integrated Cessna Clairity cabin management system with user-friendly touch-screen controllers and all new, larger and more comfortable seats.
Cessna is offering the Sovereign+ with a unique Sovereign Shield program covering all scheduled maintenance and parts costs for the aircraft’s first 5 years or 1,500 flight hours.
In service since 2004, the Citation Sovereign has reached a fleet of 349 aircraft worldwide and amassed more than 802,000 flight hours. Cessna announced plans for the new Sovereign+ at NBAA in October 2012. The first production aircraft rolled off the assembly line in Wichita in early March followed by first flight of the unit in April.
Source: Textron