-WICHITA - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. company, said the Citation Ten prototype made its first flight today. The flight lasted more than two hours and included tests of stability and control, handling qualities, functional operations including the autopilot and autothrottle system, engine operability and avionics before landing at Wichita, Kan. Mid-Continent Airport (ICT) where Cessna's main manufacturing facility is located.
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"It took a significant amount of work by a large number of people to get us to this milestone today and I am happy to report that the aircraft performed exceptionally well and handling characteristics were excellent; just as predicted," said Michael Voigt, Cessna's engineering test pilot who flew the Ten prototype. "All systems functioned as expected including the Garmin G5000 avionics system. We are looking forward to a successful flight test program and FAA certification."
Federal Aviation Administration type certification is on track for mid-2013 with first aircraft deliveries planned for the second half of 2013. A video highlighting the Citation Ten's features can be viewed on Cessna's YouTube channel. Visit our gallery of Citation Ten images. -Cessna