In the Works: Cessna Citation Columbus

By Matt Thurber

July 1, 2008
Aircraft

Engineers at Cessna are finishing architecture and layout planning for the Wichita OEM’s largest jet, the fly-by-wire Columbus, and the company revealed new details about vendors and facilities. The Columbus will be assembled at new facilities in Wichita, and Cessna plans to break ground on the factory later this year.

The manufacturer previously said that Spirit AeroSystems will build the Columbus fuselage, and has since revised that statement. Spirit AeroSystems’ Wichita base will make the fuselage, while Spirit’s European division will make the empennage.

Cessna recently chose Vought Aircraft Industries to design and manufacture the Columbus wing at facilities in Nashville, Tenn., where Vought also makes Citation X upper and lower wing panel assemblies. Oakville, Ontario-based Goodrich will design and build the landing gear, while Eaton division Argo-Tech (Costa Mesa, Calif.) is responsible for design and production of the Columbus fuel system.

FAA certification is planned by the end of 2013.

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