Textron Aviation has revealed that the development of the Cessna Citation Ascend is advancing as planned in its certification process. The aircraft will come equipped with the most up-to-date upgrades to the Garmin G5000 avionics suite. Pilots can look forward to a range of advanced technologies with this new flight deck, which is scheduled to be operational by 2025.
"Citation business jets are renowned for their superior performance and productivity,” said Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president of Global Sales & Flight Operations. “Including the Garmin G5000 in the Citation Ascend demonstrates our continued commitment to designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers. We can’t wait to see this aircraft deliver to customers.”
The Ascend has been created to introduce a fresh cockpit, enhanced performance, and a luxurious cabin to the midsize business jet sector. Its cutting-edge avionics, autothrottles, substantial payload capacity, and impressive range provide customers with a decreased pilot workload and the capability to achieve more and travel longer distances.
Once the Ascend is outfitted with the state-of-the-art Garmin G5000 avionics suite, it will showcase a range of innovative features and technology by Garmin. This includes the Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS) displayed on the primary flight displays, which integrates with Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) to enable approach minima as low as 150 ft (46 m). SVGS offers a consistent, geographically accurate representation of the external surroundings, featuring obstacles and supplemented by the depiction of the runway.
SVT improvements feature a 3D exocentric view of the SafeTaxi® airport layout to assist with situational awareness during taxiing. This system also showcases 3D representations of building footprints, such as hangars, terminals, and towers, as well as taxiways, aprons, signs, and other markings. These enhancements aim to prevent runway incursions by furnishing guidance for taxiing in airports listed in the SafeTaxi database. Furthermore, the upgrades enhance pilot awareness by enhancing topographical clarity, refining water and terrain boundaries, optimizing obstacle and powerline visibility, and improving the depiction of runways and airport signage. SVT introduces multiple perspectives for the first time and integrates with the new Taxiway Routing function, enabling the flight crew to input taxi routes via the touchscreen controller, which then offers guidance on 2D navigation maps or 3D SVT representations, especially in challenging conditions like low visibility at large, unfamiliar, and intricate airports.
The Ascend can utilize the standard automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) In capability for Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) Assisted Visual Separation (CAVS). CAVS increases pilots’ traffic awareness and assists pilots in maintaining separation from preceding aircraft equipped with ADS-B out during visual approaches to landing. Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) utilizes Surface Indications and Alert (SURF-IA) and ADS-B data to provide alerts when attempting a takeoff or landing on an occupied runway.
In eligible areas, the GDL 60 Datalink provides fast data transfer and various connectivity choices such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE networks. The GDL 60 enables automatic wireless database updates even when the aircraft is not powered on. Furthermore, updates to the optional GDL 69A now allow the Garmin G5000 suite to access a wider range of SiriusXM Weather products.
The G5000 integrated avionics suite includes three landscape-oriented flight displays that can split the screen, enabling pilots to see maps, charts, checklists, Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS), Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), flight plan details, weather, and other information simultaneously. This enhances situational awareness for the flight crew. The suite also incorporates Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) and fully automatic advanced weather radar, as well as ADS-B Out compliance. Additionally, it supports future growth and expansion through software updates. In May, Textron Aviation revealed that the Garmin G5000 avionics suite enhancements would be added to the popular Cessna Citation Latitude and top-of-the-line Citation Longitude models.
Featuring modern and elegant characteristics, customers will experience numerous luxurious amenities similar to those in the popular Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude models. These include a flat floor for ample legroom and passenger flexibility. The aircraft will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines for enhanced fuel efficiency and thrust, along with advanced Garmin G5000 avionics boasting cutting-edge software and hardware, including autothrottle technology. Additionally, the Ascend will be outfitted with a Honeywell RE100 [XL] Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) authorized for unsupervised operations.
Featuring 19 standard USB charging ports and three universal outlets distributed across the aircraft, both crew members and passengers will have access to at least one charging port in the Citation Ascend. The aircraft is equipped with a seating arrangement for nine passengers as per standard configuration.
Comments