400th Cessna Citation Latitude joins Simmons Foods' fleet

Textron Aviation announced that it has delivered the 400th Cessna Citation Latitude business jet to longtime Citation customer Simmons Foods, a family-owned and operated company since 1949, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Simmons Foods will utilize the new aircraft to enhance the efficiency of its company’s business travel, complementing its existing fleet of three Citation jets that are integral to managing operations across multiple locations.

“The delivery of the 400th Citation Latitude is a testament to the aircraft's superior design and a proud moment for our team,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations for Textron Aviation. “This milestone not only reinforces the Latitude's status as the leader in the midsize jet segment, but also underscores our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, setting new standards for comfort, efficiency and performance in the aviation industry.”

Certified in 2015, the Citation Latitude has been the world’s most-delivered midsize business jet for eight consecutive years and is a favorite with customers due to its reliability, versatility and impressive 2,700-nautical mile range.

With a flat floor cabin and ample space for nine passengers, the aircraft can fly nonstop between destinations such as New York and Los Angeles or Vancouver and Guatemala City. The Citation Latitude stands as the preferred choice among customers for a wide range of operations, including corporations, charter, personal travel, air ambulance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), utility transport, aerial survey, flight inspection, training and numerous other specialized missions.

Milestone 400th Cessna Citation Latitude Production Rollout Emphasizes Its Leading Position in the Midsize Business Jet Market

Textron Aviation announced that the 400th Cessna Citation Latitude business jet has rolled out of production at the company’s factory in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be delivered later this year. Employees recognized the milestone with a special celebration at the company’s headquarters in Wichita.

"The Citation Latitude has redefined aircraft performance, efficiency and cabin experience,” said Todd McKee, senior vice president, Integrated Supply Chain. “Thanks to the dedication and skill of our team, we are continuously innovating and enhancing the Citation jets’ design and manufacturing process, providing our customers with unmatched performance, productivity and profitability. With our sights set on the future, we are committed to ongoing investment in research and development to continue inspiring the journey of flight.”

Certified in 2015, the Citation Latitude has been the world’s most-delivered midsize business jet for eight consecutive years and has proved a hit with customers due to its reliability, versatility and impressive 2,700-nautical mile range. Assembly of the Citation Latitude features a variety of technological advancements including the use of automated robotics, monolithic machined structures and ergonomically friendly tooling stations, resulting in detailed precision throughout the build process. Through these advancements, customers benefit from the highest quality, impressive maintenance intervals and limited aircraft down times.

With a flat floor cabin and ample space for nine passengers, the aircraft can fly nonstop between destinations such as Los Angeles and New York or Geneva and Riyadh. The Citation Latitude stands as the preferred choice among customers for a wide range of operations, including corporations, charter, personal travel, air ambulance, ISR, utility transport, aerial survey, flight inspection, training and numerous other specialized missions.

Cessna Citation Latitude

The Citation Latitude midsize business jet, with a four-passenger range of 2,700 nautical miles (5,000 km) at high-speed cruise, is set apart from the competition by its combination of comfort and efficiency. The aircraft’s class-leading take-off field length of 3,580 feet at Max Takeoff Weight provides operators with greater range out of short fields. Inside, the Citation Latitude offers an unrivaled cabin experience featuring the most open, spacious, bright and refined cabin environment in its category. With a flat floor and six feet of cabin height, innovation abounds with exceptional features designed throughout the aircraft.

The wireless cabin management system provides productive connectivity and entertainment to each passenger through their personal electronic devices. With standard seating configurations, the Citation Latitude jet can comfortably accommodate up to nine passengers. Extended maintenance intervals provide owners with the lowest direct operating costs in the midsize segment.

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Best-Selling Cessna Citation Latitude and Flagship Citation Longitude to offer new advanced avionics features

Textron Aviation announced advanced Garmin G5000 avionics enhancements coming to the best-selling mid-size business jet, the Cessna Citation Latitude, and the flagship of the Citation family of jets, the Citation Longitude. Textron Aviation’s investments in the popular business jets, based on customer feedback, will offer greater performance and improved user experience to pilots in the new Latitude jets beginning in 2025 and the new Longitude jets in 2026.

"Citation jets offer customers performance, productivity and profitability that opens a new world of possibility in aviation and their business,” said Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president of Global Sales & Flight Operations. "These enhancements demonstrate our commitment to continuously invest in our legendary products in order to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers.”

When equipped with the latest Garmin G5000 avionics suite, the Latitude and Longitude will feature an array of new advanced features and technology from Garmin, including Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS) shown on the primary flight displays, that couples with Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) to support approach minima as low as 150 ft (46 m). SVGS provides a continuous, geo-spatially correct depiction of the external scene topography, including obstacles, augmented by the display of the runway.

SVT enhancements include a 3D exocentric view of the SafeTaxi® airport environment to aid situational awareness while taxiing. SVT also displays 3D building footprints including hangars, terminals and towers, taxiways, aprons, signs and other markings to help reduce runway incursions by providing guidance while taxiing at airports contained in the SafeTaxi database. The enhancements also support pilot situational awareness by increasing topographical clarity, sharpening water and terrain boundaries, improving obstacle and powerlines display and enhancing runway and airport sign depictions. SVT introduces multiple viewpoints for the first time and integrates with the new Taxiway Routing feature that provides clarity during ground operations – particularly at large, unfamiliar and complex airports during low visibility conditions.

Hahn Air orders a new Citation CJ3 Gen2 jet.....

Hahn Air has entered into a purchase agreement with Textron Aviation for a Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2, becoming the European launch customer for the new jets.

The deal was signed during the National Business Aviation Association – Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition event in Las Vegas, which also includes a new Cessna Citation Latitude. Both aircraft are expected to deliver in 2026.

“Hahn Air is an outstanding operator, and we are excited to see the company upgrade their aircraft,” said Duncan Van De Velde, vice president of European Sales, Textron Aviation. “The new Citation CJ3 Gen2 and Citation Latitude perfectly align with Hahn Air’s commitment to delivering a premium service to its customers.”

Hahn Air has been a loyal Citation operator for nearly two decades and exclusively services the company’s fleet at Textron Aviation’s Düsseldorf Service Center. The new Citation Latitude and CJ3 Gen2 will replace Hahn Air’s existing Citation Latitude and CJ3+.

“We are proud to continue our long-lasting relationship with Textron Aviation,” said Captain Daniel Rudas, general manager and COO, of Hahn Air. “For nearly two decades we have operated Citation business jets and this new order of the most reliable jets within the Cessna family will ensure we provide our customers with safe and comfortable flights, and a memorable and enjoyable experience.”

Design and Technology Unite in the New Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 and Citation XLS Gen2 Business Jets

Textron Aviation has released details of the next generation Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 and Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 business jets. These updates to the entry-level light jet and the midsize business jet usher in the next generation of aircraft design and technology, increasing comfort and productivity for passengers and pilots.

“With the mindset that no detail is too small when shaping customer flight experiences, we’ve touched all areas of these aircraft to create the Citation M2 Gen2 and the Citation XLS Gen2 – from the cockpit to cargo area and everywhere in between,” said Christi Tannahill, senior vice president, Customer Experience. “Shaped by extensive customer feedback, the upgrades to these aircraft embody the latest in technology and design. These new models represent a significant commitment from Textron Aviation as we continue to bring best-in-class performance and features to our customers.”

Citation M2 Gen2

The latest updates to the Citation M2 platform strengthen the model’s focus on pilot and passenger comfort as well as productivity. A thoughtfully designed aircraft from front to back, the M2 Gen2 brings an enhanced cabin experience that includes premium interior styling, ambient accent lighting, re-mastered illuminated cupholders and additional in-flight accessible storage.

Productivity has also been bolstered with the latest technology in the cabin such as wireless charging capabilities and USB-A ports at each cabin seat. In the cockpit, three inches of legroom has been added to the co-pilot position for enhanced comfort. Additionally, cabin entry threshold materials have been improved for durability and maintainability.

“Since the Citation M2 was first introduced in 2013, it has quickly become one of our most popular light jet models - in particular with owner/operator customers,” Tannahill added. “Building on its already outstanding performance capabilities and flexibility, the M2 Gen2 brings the latest cabin amenities and technological advances often found in larger jets to the entry-level light jet segment. Passengers will appreciate the USB-A ports at every cabin seat and the USB-C ports in the club area.”

Citation XLS Gen2

Citation Latitude was the most delivered midsize Business Jet in 2018

Photo Textron Aviation Inc

Textron Aviation celebrated the news this week that its Citation aircraft were the most-delivered business jets of 2018! This is according to the annual shipment and billings report published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). 

The firm delivered 188 business jets, of which 57 were Cessna Citation Latitude aircraft.  winning the midsize segment for the third consecutive year and outselling its closest competitor four to one.

“Leading business jet deliveries in 2018 is a continued testament to the trust our valued customers place in the Citation family,” said Rob Scholl, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “We’re honoured to see that customers and operators have responded by making the Latitude their midsize platform of choice for three years running.”