Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel, XL, XLS, and Ascend

Hanneke Weitering

Textron Aviation is progressing with the development and certification of the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-05-22/textron-aviation-unveils-ascend-latest-xl-family">Cessna Citation Ascend</a> midsize business jet and remains on track to bring the aircraft into service in 2025, the company announced today.&nbsp;
“The program is making great progress. We have 125 flights and nearly 350 hours on the prototype,” Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation’s senior v-p of global sales and flight operations, told reporters during a recent briefing at the company’s Wichita headquarters. “We're already starting to certify different aspects of the program.”
As part of the certification process, the FAA recently completed human factors testing in an “iron bird” ground-based test rig for the Ascend aircraft, said director of engineering at Textron Aviation Aasiri Fernando.
The ground-based test rig, which is located at Textron Aviation’s innovation center on the company’s Wichita campus, includes a flight simulator with a full flight deck. Engineers have been using the iron bird for early development and procedural testing, Fernando explained.&nbsp;
Textron Aviation unveiled the Citation Ascend—the latest iteration of its 560XL family—at EBACE 2023 in Geneva, and the cabin mockup made its U.S. debut at NBAA-BACE in October.&nbsp;
The $16.7 million airplane features Garmin G5000 avionics with autothrottles and powerful Pratt &amp; Whitney PW545D engines. With a flat floor, the cabin includes new swiveling passenger seats along with larger windows. It can seat up to 12 passengers.
While Textron has not yet revealed the final performance specifications, preliminary estimates target a range of 1,900 nm at high-speed cruise with four passengers and a maximum cruise speed of 441 knots.
“With the prototype aircraft’s successful completion of rigorous certification tests and more than 350 flight test hours, we are confident in the development progress of the Citation Ascend,” said Chris Hearne, Textron Aviation’s senior v-p of engineering and programs. “The success of the program to date highlights the skill and commitment of our teams in designing and delivering the best aviation experience for customers.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Citation Ascend Business Jet Progresses with FAA Certification Testing

The Ascend prototype has completed 350 flight test hours

Textron Aviation is progressing with the certification of the Cessna Citation Ascend midsize business jet, which is expected to enter service in 2025.

Cessna Citation Ascend Progresses with FAA Certification Testing

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Eviation's CEO offers insights into the slow-moving, stealth program's progress

Eviation Quietly Prepares to Build Updated Alice Prototype

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Global operations were off in the most recent week, expanding on the year-long trend

WingX: Combined Headwinds Drag Down Bizjet Operations

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The demonstrator completed its fifth test flight with plans to fly supersonic this year

Boom XB-1 Progressing Toward Supersonic Flight

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Remotely piloted flights will start in 2025 as manufacturer works towards service entry in the 2030s

Textron Will Flight Test Nexus eVTOL Aircraft at Salina 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

After two years in stealth mode, the Miami start-up says it can start deliveries in two years

Sea Cheetah To Reveal Hydrogen-powered Wing-in-ground-effect Vessel

AmyWilder

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

IADA plans to present Q3 insights on October 21

IADA To Make its Mark at 2024 NBAA-BACE

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

EBACE Convention News 2024

In this article

Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel, XL, XLS, and Ascend

Textron Aviation

More In Aircraft

Eviation Quietly Prepares to Build Updated Alice Prototype

Eviation's CEO offers insights into the slow-moving, stealth program's progress

WingX: Combined Headwinds Drag Down Bizjet Operations

Global operations were off in the most recent week, expanding on the year-long trend

Boom XB-1 Progressing Toward Supersonic Flight

The demonstrator completed its fifth test flight with plans to fly supersonic this year

Textron Will Flight Test Nexus eVTOL Aircraft at Salina

Remotely piloted flights will start in 2025 as manufacturer works towards service entry in the 2030s

Sea Cheetah To Reveal Hydrogen-powered Wing-in-ground-effect Vessel

After two years in stealth mode, the Miami start-up says it can start deliveries in two years

IADA To Make its Mark at 2024 NBAA-BACE

IADA plans to present Q3 insights on October 21

UP.Summit 2024 Celebrates Mobility Technology

Ideas abound when 300 creators and innovators join together

Argus: Bizav Traffic Continues in 'Status Quo'

Global bizav flights were down 0.3% in September

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN