Cessna’s updated Citation X has been officially validated as having the fastest maximum operating speed of any civilian aircraft currently flying, reclaiming the title from Gulfstream’s G650.
The Citation X regained its position following the conclusion of high-speed certification flights with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which recorded a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935 (536kt TAS).
The high-speed testing regimen includes handling qualities, stability and control in addition to manoeuvrability conditions at high speeds. The validation was accomplished as a result of collaboration with FAA pilots and Cessna’s Engineering Flight Test Team during the past weeks. More than 1,300 hours have been flown in the Citation X test program in preparation for certification, which is expected in the early part of 2014.
The new Citation X has a range of 3,242nm and seating capacity for nine people.
