Cessna Aircraft launched a new version of its midsize Citation Sovereign today at the NBAA Convention, and invited show attendees to visit the new aircraft, which has been under development for the past year-and-a-half, at the static display. President and CEO Scott Ernest revealed that three of the upgraded Sovereigns are currently flying and have thus far accumulated approximately 800 flight-test hours.

Among the visible changes in the new twinjet are winglets, which Ernest acknowledged as new aerodynamic territory for Cessna. In addition to changing the appearance of the Sovereign, the winglets and the addition of new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D engines increase the aircraft’s range by 150 nm, taking it beyond 3,000 nm. The $17.8 million jet also includes a new cockpit designed around the Garmin G5000 avionics suite with integrated autothrottle.

In the cabin, a new environmental control system produces 37 percent more cooling, and improved seats with recessed armrests provide more aisle room. The bizjet also features Cessna’s new integrated Clairity cabin management system. Line flow has already started on the new Sovereign and Cessna expects to begin deliveries next year.