Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) delivered the first production PW306D1 engine that will power Cessna’s new midsize Latitude twinjet, which is expected to achieve certification and commence deliveries in mid-2015. The PW306D1, a development of the PW306C/D engines that have powered the airframer’s Sovereign and Sovereign+ jets since 2004, is rated at a maximum takeoff thrust of 5,907 pounds and, according to P&WC, delivers the best thrust-to-weight ratio in its class, as well as higher thrust to climb and better overall specific fuel consumption than previous engines in the PW306 series.

Development of the new powerplant began in 2012, and it is fully integrated with the Latitude’s avionics and autothrottle system for ease of operation. The Latitude, which currently has a two-year backlog, will be Cessna’s widest fuselage design and is projected to have an operational range of 2,500 nm. P&WC has produced more than 4,000 PW300-family engines, which includes 11 midsize business jet models.