Textron Aviation’s fourth Cessna Citation Longitude has joined the flight-test program, keeping the business jet on track for certification later this year. The aircraft departed Beech Field in east Wichita on May 6 and explored its full envelope during a three-hour, 20-minute flight. Piloted by Andrew Peters and Brian Giga, the aircraft met all performance targets for the flights, the company said.

The May 6 first flight occurred less than eight months after the initial Longitude took to the skies. Since that time, the flight-test fleet has completed more than 200 missions, accumulating nearly 400 hours.

The fourth flight-test aircraft is fully outfitted for evaluation of the interior, environmental control system, pressurization and cabin technologies. “In addition to further systems testing, this aircraft allows us to evaluate the overall passenger experience in the cabin, which is just as vital as the performance and technology in the cockpit,” said senior v-p of engineering Brad Thress.

Once certified, the Longitude will move the Citation family into the super-midsize category with a six-foot-high, flat-floor cabin and seating for up to 12 passengers. The cabin will be fitted with a standard double-club configuration and fully berthable seats, along with 15 large windows.

Powered by Fadec-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofans, the Longitude will have 3,500-nm range and full-fuel payload of 1,600 lbs. It also features Garmin avionics on the flight deck.

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