For prospective jet buyers who like the performance capabilities of Cessna’s speedy Citation X but don’t want to spend $23.5 million for a new one and are worried about deliving into the used market, Textron Aviation has devised an alternative, the Citation X Elite program. The Elite is a former X that was in service with fractional-share operation NetJets, and while these jets have accumulated more than 10,000 flight hours by the time they leave NetJets service, they were maintained by Cessna service centers and are good candidates for a thorough refurbishment and avionics upgrade. NetJets had purchased more than 60 Citation Xs.
The first ex-NetJets Citation X was inducted into the Elite program in 2013 and the second is on display at the Elliott Aviation static display here at NBAA 2014. The Elite upgrade isn’t limited to NeJets airplanes, according to Brad Thress, Textron Aviation senior vice president of customer service. “It’s available on any serial number legacy Citation X. We do this as an on-demand program, we judge what the demand is going to be and induct them into the program.”
The specific work done is extensive and includes completing all maintenance and inspection requirements up through the mandatory 15,000-hour interval, including “Doc 3” corrosion mitigation and prevention work on wing panels. A re-gearing of the aileron’s hydraulically boosted controls (incorporated on earlier models after serial number 173) is done to all Elites. Winglets (by Winglet Technology) are an option. New wheels, brakes and tires are installed, as is a new horizontal trim actuator. The airframe is completely stripped and then repainted by King Aerospace.
The interior is completely updated with new Ipeco seats and a Mid-Continent Controls (Booth 1459) cabin-management system, with touchscreen controls in the galley and at the VIP seat and USB ports for each seat. A 10.4-inch monitor is mounted in the forward cabin area on the left side. LED lighting is installed throughout the cabin. A Gogo Business Aviation Axxess system provides air-to-ground broadband Internet access and onboard Wi-Fi.
The pilots get new BFGoodrich seats and a new flight deck, Honeywell’s Primus Elite upgrade with LCD panels, FMS 6.1, SiriusXM weather, Jeppesen charts and Laseref IV inertial reference systems replacing the original AHRS.
A further encouragement for buyers is special pricing for maintenance programs for the first five years of ownership. The ProParts and ProTech programs are cut to about half price during the first three years, then the prices gradually step back to normal during the remaining two years.
The Elite work takes about four months, according to Cessna piston-engine program manager John Kasowski, who lead the Elite program. Price for a completed Elite Citation X is $6.5 million.
“It’s a fantastic program,” said Thress. “Through structural tests we knew these airframes had [plenty] of time [left]. “The Citation X has a really loyal following, and it’s a great opportunity to upgrade it with a new warranty and a modern cabin. It’s a great value proposition.”
