[Aviation News]

Cessna Citation Longitude Achieves EASA Certification

Textron Aviation announced on 13 July 2021 that its flagship Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet achieved certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), clearing the way for customer deliveries to begin in the region.

The Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet is designed, produced and delivered by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

“In the second half of last year we saw a substantial increase in super-midsize flight activity across Europe as individuals relied on these products as a transportation solution,” said Tom Perry, vice president of Sales, EMEA, Textron Aviation. “The introduction of the Longitude to the European market will fulfil the international travel needs of many of our customers, while providing them peace of mind and convenience for both their business and personal travel.”

As a clean-sheet aircraft, the Longitude was designed with innovation front of mind, and a cabin experience shaped around customer input and a broad range of mission capabilities.

With a range of 6,482 kilometers (3,500 nautical miles) and full fuel payload of 726 kilograms (1,600 pounds), the Citation Longitude is designed to elevate passenger expectations in the super-midsize class by delivering the quietest cabin, a low cabin altitude (1,814 meters/5,950 feet), more standard features and a comfortable, bespoke interior.

With seating for up to 12 passengers, including an optional crew jump seat, the Longitude features a stand-up, 6-foot tall flat-floor cabin. A standard double-club configuration delivers the most legroom in the super-midsize class. Fully berthable seats are designed and manufactured in-house, and a spacious walk-in baggage compartment is accessible throughout the entire flight. State-of-the-art cabin technology enables passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile device.

The clean-sheet design of the Longitude integrates the latest technology throughout the aircraft, bringing customers the lowest direct operating cost in its class. Powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines with fully integrated autothrottles with envelope protection, the Longitude offers best in class maintenance intervals of 800 hr/18 months, Textron Aviation maintenance and diagnostic systems (AReS).

The spacious cockpit incorporates easier access and an ergonomic design that fully focuses on crew comfort and efficiency.

The Citation Longitude business jet offers more range, greater payload or higher cruise speed at a lower direct operating cost.

“The Longitude’s versatility has already enabled its utilization in multiple fields, from air ambulance to flight inspections,” added Perry. “We have one specially configured aircraft set to be delivered later this year, outfitted with flight inspection equipment to perform critical verification of navigation aids.”

The Longitude is backed by Textron Aviation’s extensive global customer service network, providing customers with direct access to nearly 3,000 expert employees, including service representatives offering maintenance, inspections, parts, repairs, avionic upgrades, equipment installations, refurbishments and other specialized services.

DASSAULT AVIATION Delivers its First Rafale to Greece

Eric TRAPPIER, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, hosted the ceremony of the delivery of the first Rafale for the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), in the presence of Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Greek Minister of National Defense, at the Dassault Aviation Flight Test Center in Istres, France on 21 July 2021.

This first delivery comes successfully only after six months following the signature of the Contract for the acquisition of 18 Rafale, This first aircraft, as well as the next five to come from the French Space and Air Force, will train the HAF Pilots and Technicians in France before deploying to TANAGRA Air Force Base.

A first group of HAF pilots, already trained for several months by the French Space and Air Force, and 50 HAF technicians will joined the Dassault Aviation Conversion Training Center (CTC) in Mérignac, France to continue their training.

The Rafale will provide the HAF with a latest-generation multirole fighter, enabling the Hellenic Republic to ensure its geostrategic stance in full sovereignty. The delivery of the first Rafale is a clear demonstration of France’s determination to meet the government of the Hellenic Republic expectations and to participate actively to the sovereignty of the country.

It illustrates also Dassault Aviation’s outstanding quality of the cooperation with the Hellenic Air Force, through more than 45 years of uninterrupted and strong partnership.

“Following the Mirage F1 in 1974, the Mirage 2000 in 1985 and the Mirage 2000-5 in 2000, the Rafale is now proudly flying with the Hellenic Air Force colors. The Rafale is a Strategic Game Changer for the HAF. It will play an active role by securing Greece’s leadership as a major regional power. I would like to reaffirm our total commitment to the success of the Rafale in Greece,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

Bombardier Delivers Fifth Global Business Jet for Saab’s GlobalEye Airborne Surveillance Solution

Bombardier announced the recent arrival of a fifth Global business jet at Swedish defense supplier Saab’s Linköping, Sweden, on 26 August 2021, ready for conversion into Saab’s Airborne Early Warning and Control solution known as GlobalEye. The aircraft was delivered to Saab from Bombardier’s Toronto manufacturing site and underwent interior completions work at Flying Colours Corp. in Peterborough, Ontario, prior to arriving in Sweden.

“Bombardier Global aircraft are ideally suited for conversion into specialized assets, and we are recognized around the world for our collaborative, flexible approach and unparalleled expertise,” said Steve Patrick, Vice President, Specialized Aircraft, Bombardier. “Our Global 6000 aircraft and increasingly its successor, our Global 6500 aircraft, are known as the go-to platforms for high-altitude, long-endurance missions that require significant payload capability with ample available power, hosted on a reliable platform featuring advanced avionics and systems technology. Bombardier’s signature smooth flight technology provides a comfortable environment for operators and highly stable platform for sensors.”

“Saab partners with industry leaders, which is why we chose Bombardier’s Global 6000 aircraft as the platform for our advanced Airborne Early Warning and Control solution. We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Bombardier and Canadian industry,” says Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and head of Saab business area Surveillance.

Saab is a leading global defence and security company and has been a trusted partner of the Canadian military for more than 30 years.

The company’s GlobalEye aircraft completed its maiden flight in early 2018 and three have been delivered from Saab to the customer.

Bombardier Global business jets exemplify Canadian aerospace innovation, with ultra-long range, spacious cabins and class-leading maintenance intervals and reliability. Global aircraft are ideally suited to a range of specialized missions, from securing airspace, borders and infrastructure to head-of-state transport and humanitarian assistance including long-range medical evacuations.

Fellow Canadian company Flying Colours Corp. supports Saab through the introduction of a practical, functional interior for the mission system operators.

“Designing a special mission interior necessitates an intelligent approach, ingenuity and imagination,” said Sean Gillespie, Executive VP for Flying Colours Corp. “Our work with Saab showcases the high levels of technical expertise delivered by our experience, knowledge and the exceptional talent within our team.”

Bombardier Specialized Aircraft offers flexible solutions for customers around the world, with conversion options ranging from turnkey packages comprising the complete design, building, testing and certification activity, through to specialized engineering support and technical oversight of customer-specific projects, including modifications to external shapes such as antennae, sensors and radars. Bombardier has designated its Wichita, Kansas, facility as the Centre of Excellence for Specialized Aircraft, with the experience and expertise to carry out complex modifications on site.

More than 550 Bombardier Global, Challenger and Learjet business aircraft are currently performing specialized missions worldwide.

Photo credits: Textron Aviation Inc., Dassault Aviation, and Bombardier