Textron Aviation has announced the successful flight of its second Cessna Citation Ascend flight test article (P1) as certification momentum builds for the newest Citation business jet.
The milestone flight follows the Ascend prototype, which completed its first flight in 2023, marking the P1 aircraft the first conforming production flight test aircraft. The Citation Ascend business jet was unveiled during EBACE 2023, and the aircraft is expected to enter service in 2025.
The initial flight of P1, piloted by Michael Bradfield and Maurice Girard, lasted one hour and 24 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 13,500ft with a maximum speed of 308 knots. The aircraft will be used for the flight test programme, primarily for systems testing, including propulsion, human factors, environmental control and avionics.
“Today’s successful flight of the second Citation Ascend test article marks another achievement for the programme, and that’s a testament to the many great employees involved with this project,” said Chris Hearne, SVP, engineering. “The aircraft has continued to perform well through the phases of testing, and I continue to be confident in the programme’s momentum and in our skilled team members who make it possible.”
The Citation Ascend flight test certification programme is expected to complete certification testing with the two test articles – the prototype and P1. To date, the programme has accumulated more than 400 flight hours.
The Cessna Citation Ascend will have many of the features of the Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude, including a flat floor. With 19 standard USB charging ports and three universal outlets throughout the aircraft, all crew and passengers will enjoy access to at least one charging port in the Citation Ascend. The aircraft has a standard seating configuration of nine passengers.
