In The Works: Cessna Citation XLS+

On April 28 Cessna rolled out the first production version of the XLS+, the latest version of the Citation that entered production in 1998 as the Excel. The first production XLS+ was scheduled to receive exterior paint and interior installation after the rollout, while the two flight-test XLS+s continue flying toward mid-year FAA certification and deliveries by the end of the year. This schedule is somewhat later than the first-quarter 2008 certification and mid-2008 first delivery that Cessna had projected earlier. The $11.595 million XLS+ is powered by two fadec-controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C engines, each delivering 4,119 pounds of takeoff thrust. Avionics are a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 suite. Performance includes range of 1,858 nm at maximum takeoff weight (NBAA IFR, 100 nm alternate), 440 knots maximum cruise speed at mid-cruise weight and 45,000-foot maximum altitude. Cessna has delivered more than 650 aircraft in the Excel/ XLS series.