Cessna Aircraft is crawling into the large business jet category with a clean sheet design, namely, the 4500-nmi Citation Hemisphere and Longitude, joining the Citation Latitude to complete a new, large-cabin, three-aircraft Citation family.

“The debut of the Longitude has been highly anticipated among prospective customers, industry observers and our Textron Aviation team members,” said Scott Ernest, Textron Aviation President and CEO. “It will combine the ideal mix of performance, cabin comfort, and industry leading technology.”

The Citation Longitude is another example of Cessna's increasing interest and investment in its family of larger business jets. With seating for up to 12 passengers, including an optional crew jumpseat, the Longitude features a stand-up, flat-floor cabin with a standard double-club configuration. It will feature fully berthable seats and an in-flight accessible walk-in baggage compartment. It will offer what Cessna claims is the lowest cabin altitude in its category at 5950 ft, and also features cabin technology that will allow passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile device.

Longitude will feature the next evolution of the Garmin G5000 flight deck and be powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines with fully integrated autothrottles. The aircraft offers a full fuel payload of 1500 lb, a maximum cruise speed of 476 knot, and a four-passenger high-speed range of 3400 nmi.

The Longitude is on track for first flight in 2016 with anticipated entry into service in 2017.

Continuing the company’s product investment trend, the 4500-nmi large cabin Citation Hemisphere will feature what the company anticipates will be the widest cabin in its class. The first flight for the Hemisphere is expected in 2019.

“Over the last 20 years customers in this segment have seen little innovation or investment in new products as their business needs and mission requirements have continued to evolve,” said Ernest. “The Citation Hemisphere is [being] designed to transform this segment.”