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From single-engine aircraft to business jets

Unlike many automotive companies that introduced their 2001 models last year, Cessna Aircraft Co. generated some anticipation in announcing its new Turbo 182 Skylane at the October NBAA Meeting and Convention in New Orleans, LA. The new aircraft features an increase in power over the normally aspirated Skylane. It also features a three-blade, constant speed McCauley propeller, driven by the fuel-injected Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A engine. The engine produces 235 hp at 2400 rpm, which results in a good rate of climb and takeoff performance.

The Sovereign is scheduled to make its first flight
in the first quarter of 2002, with FAA
certification expected by late 2003.

In addition to the new Skylane in 2001, the company's single-engine product line will feature enhancements such as avionics upgrades, interior refinements, and optional equipment. New equipment includes an optional 5-in liquid crystal full-color Bendix/King KMD 550 multifunction display with Stormscope lightning detection; an optional KLN 94 color IFR GPS; and standard interior refinements including sculptured side walls, new overhead panels, a lightweight door handle mechanism, and formed composite Kydex
side panels that add strength and reduce weight.

Originally introduced at the 1998 NBAA Meeting and Convention, the Citation Sovereign business jet continues with its development. The company recently finalized the design and assembly of the engine cowling, inlet assembly, throttle quadrant, and thrust reverser all of which make up the nacelle assembly that will be used on the flying test bed, a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C.

Cessna's new Turbo Skylane features a three-blade, constant-speed McCauley propeller driven by a fuel-injected Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A engine.

The company has also selected BFGoodrich Aerospace to provide the electronic standby instrument system (ESIS) GH-3000 and the electronic horizontal situation indicator EHSI-4000 for the Sovereign. The GH-3000 features a fully solid-state design and flat panel technology. Its self-contained inertial measurement cluster eliminates the need for the traditional electomechanical gyro. The unit is capable of providing attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, slip/skid, navigation, and vertical speed data in a single 3-in ATI display. The ESIS GH-3000's display can be customized to visually match an aircraft's primary flight display system, interfacing with the aircraft's navigation systems to enable the pilot to reach home safely when the primary system is down. The system features a detachable configuration module that stores display customization features in nonvolatile memory. It retains identification codes that describe specific hardware and software configurations of each installation such as panel angle, navigation interface, and display format configuration.

The EHSI-4000 was designed to replace electromechanical horizontal situation indicators and was specifically developed for the needs of business aircraft. The unit allows for pilot-commanded heading and course inputs on a 3-in flat-panel ATI display.

The Sovereign's engine nacelle assembly test bed.

Cessna has also awarded contracts to Dowty Aerospace Yakima (DAY) for the design and manufacture of a double-acting hydraulic actuator to extend and retract the main and
nose landing gear for the Sovereign. The actuator will incorporate the company's single-stage internal lock mechanism to automatically secure the actuator piston in the extended lock position. DAY is also making the speed brake actuator for the aircraft.

Cessna engineers have begun working with numerous test articles to validate designs. "The systems integration mockup provides us with the opportunity to finalize cable and wire routing as well as work on accessibility," said Sovereign Program Manager Brad Thress. "We will also use it to determine the best location for access doors, avionics, and electrical component boxes. An autopilot/flight controls test article is being used for autopilot development work prior to flying the aircraft."

The Sovereign has completed its first round of hot weather testing. "We used the environmental test article, which is a full Sovereign fuselage and APU, to test the environmental system's ability to cool the cabin and cockpit on very hot days," said Thress. "Cold weather testing will be conducted this winter."

BFGoodrich Aerospace's ESIS GH-3000 is capable of providing attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, slip/skid, navigation, and vertical speed data in a single 3-in ATI display.

Assembly of the Sovereign prototype will begin in the second quarter of 2001, with the first flight scheduled for the first quarter of 2002. FAA certification is expected in late 2003, with the first deliveries beginning in early 2004.

The EHSI-4000, developed by BFGoodrich Aerospace specifically for business aircraft, allows for pilot-commanded heading and course inputs on a 3-in flat-panel ATI display.

For 2002, Cessna has announced major improvements to the Citation X business jet. The enhancements will incorporate an increase in gross weight and engine thrust as well as an expanded standard equipment list. The aircraft's maximum takeoff weight will be increased by 400 lb, bringing it to 36,100 lb. The gross weight change enables an increase in passenger capacity. Operators will be able to carry up to seven passengers with a full fuel payload.

The enhanced aircraft will feature a 5% increase in engine thrust with the incorporation of an uprated version of the Rolls-Royce AE3007C turbofan, the AE3007C1. By increasing takeoff thrust on the aircraft from 6442 lb of thrust per side to 6764 lb, operators will be able to take advantage of shorter takeoff field lengths. The aircraft's range and 0.92 Mach
cruise speed will remain virtually unchanged.

New standard equipment offered on the 2002 aircraft includes Honeywell's traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS II) and enhanced ground proximity warning system, a Litton locator beacon, a Teledyne angle-of-attack indicator/indexer, SATCOM provisions, a cockpit voice recorder, VHF AFIS, and provisions for a flight data recorder and second high frequency transceiver.

For 2002, the Citation X's performance will be enhanced with the incorporation of an uprated version of the Rolls-Royce AE3007C turbofan, the AE3007C1.

The changes to the Citation X are effective on all aircraft delivered after Jan 1, 2002, beginning with serial number 173.

Frank Bokulich

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