Cessna Unveils Its Plans for Mustang, Entry-Level Jet Is to Cost $2.6 Million

Mustang panel mockup

Russ Meyer, Cessna Aircraft chairman, surprised most folks at NBAA 2002 when he disclosed that the firm has launched a new entry-level fanjet, named Mustang, that will join the Citation lineup in September 2006. Designed primarily by the CJ engineering team, the Mustang indeed looks like a smaller CJ1.

Cessna officials say it's "pure coincidence" that it also looks like a clone of the now-defunct Century Jet 100.

The Mustang is the first product to evolve from Cessna's Group II design study program, which is focusing on entry-level twin turbine aircraft. So-called Group II aircraft, along with Cessna's Group I single-engine design study aircraft, are intended to help bridge the $2.5 million chasm between the Caravan and the Citation families.

Priced at $2.6 million and intended to be owner-flown, the Mustang will cost about two-thirds as much as a CJ1, indeed providing a shorter step up into the Citation jet family. Its exterior dimensions are only slightly less than those of the CJ1-38.9 feet long, 42.2 feet in span and 13.7 feet high to the top of the T tail.

Mustang interior mockup

The cabin of Cessna's newest fanjet is about 80% as large as that of the CJ1, accommodating six occupants. The passenger seating section measures 9.0 feet long, 4.5 feet high and 4.8 feet wide, which is two feet shorter than the cabin of the CJ1 and slightly shorter, as well as just slightly narrower in cross section. Aft of the two cockpit seats is a quasi-club section seating four passengers in the main cabin. The aft cabin will have a full-width, forward-facing bench seat with fold-down center armrest in place of two individual club chairs.

An occasional-use toilet with privacy curtain will be located aft of the cockpit and forward of the club seating section. Interiors will be standardized and fitted to the aircraft on the production line, with plenty of option packages, similar to auto industry practices.

Cessna's new fanjet will have an estimated BOW of 5,150 pounds, adding together the 4,850-pounds EOW, a single 200-pound pilot and 100 pounds of options. With 2,580 pounds of fuel, it will be able to carry three 200-pound passengers 1,150 nmi and land with NBAA IFR reserves, assuming a 100 nmi alternate. Its range with a 1,200-pound maximum payload is 830 miles. Maximum cruising altitude is 41,000 feet and max cruise speed is 340 KTAS in the mid-30s.

Show News estimates that the Mustang's long-range cruise speed will be slightly over 300 KTAS.

The airframe will be conventional aluminum construction, with composites used sparingly in secondary structures. Most systems details are still being worked out; however, the cockpit will feature three, large-format flat-panel displays. Thrust will be provided by two 1,350-pound fanjets, similar to Williams FJ33-1 turbofans. Pratt & Whitney Canada has expressed interest in bidding on the program, according to Cessna officials.

First flight of the Mustang is slated for May 2005, with FAR Part 23 certification scheduled for June 2006. The Mustang will comply with FAR Part 25 one-engine-inoperative takeoff and climb requirements. Initial customer deliveries should begin in September 2006. Cessna began taking $10,000 deposits on the aircraft at NBAA.

By Fred George