Cessna earned FAA type certification for the Citation Latitude on June 6. The approval clears the way for deliveries of the new business jet to begin in the third quarter of this year. Among the first customers is fractional ownership provider NetJets, which has ordered up to 150 of the aircraft.

FAA certification was achieved a couple of weeks after the Latitude crossed the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in mid-May to make its European debut at the EBACE show in Geneva, Switzerland. The aircraft first flew in February last year, embarking on a fast-track test program that culminated in earning its type certificate on schedule. Four aircraft were involved in the test program, logging 1,700 flight hours collectively.

According to Cessna, which is part of Textron Aviation, the Latitude offers a superior, flat-floor, stand-up cabin at the same price as smaller midsize models. Its cabin is the widest yet of any Citation. The cockpit features Garmin 5000 avionics, also used on the Citation X+ and the Sovereign +.

During the EBACE show, Cessna announced a 150-nm boost to the aircraft’s long-range cruise range, bringing it to 2,850 nm (high-speed cruise range is 2,700 nm). This means that range is up by approximately 35 percent compared with the 2,000-nm limit Cessna announced in 2011. In the latest in a series of performance improvements, the manufacturer managed to reduce takeoff and landing distance for the new model to 3,580 feet (compared with the projected 3,660 feet).

“From inception, we looked at every aspect of how we design, build and deliver new products to the market with the goal to further improve upon the key attributes that make the Citation so highly esteemed,” said Textron Aviation president and CEO Scott Ernest. “Throughout the certification program, the Latitude demonstrated breakthrough results, which are evident in the aircraft’s performance and value. And now customers can experience firsthand how the Latitude can reduce operating costs [by up to 20 percent], while increasing productivity and profitability for their businesses.”

During the trip to the EBACE show, the Latitude flew non-stop from St. John, Newfoundland, to Valencia, Spain, in just over five hours. It is expected to make its South American debut at the LABACE show in São Paulo in August.