Cessna Aircraft has completed all certification testing on its new Citation CJ4 business jet and is in the final stages of U.S. Federal Aviation Administration type certification approvals. Three CJ4 test aircraft have completed more than 1,100 flights and accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours.

Here at the Singapore show yesterday, Roger Whyte, the U.S. manufacturer’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, revealed that both the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency have approved the CJ4 for single-pilot operation and a common type-rating with other Citation CJs. “It was something we were anxiously awaiting,” he said.

The CJ4 offers enhanced performance over early projections with a maximum cruise speed of more than 450 knots and a maximum range of just over 2,000 nm. It’s capable of a direct climb to 45,000 feet in 28 minutes.

The Citation CJ4 offers an extensive standard equipment list, including a four-screen Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite with electronic charts and graphical weather, TCAS II, EGPWS, Class- A TAWS, dual mode-S diversity transponders with ADS-B out capability, multi-scan weather radar, emergency descent mode and an essential electrical bus.

Cessna produces its Model 162 Skycatcher light sport aircraft in China at Shenyang Aircraft Corp. It delivered the first Skycatcher late last year, and said the company’s entry into the light sport aircraft class will allow flying schools to offer less expensive pilot training because of the aircraft’s lower purchase price and operating costs.
Cessna delivered 754 aircraft of all types last year, including 289 Citations. But that figure is expected to drop to 225 for 2010.