The Citation Excel has been one of Cessna's all-time best sellers,
but it was getting a little long in the tooth, customers told
the firm. So, from mid-2004 it's being replaced by the Citation
XLS, offering more speed and range, 200 pounds more tanks-full
payload, upgraded Honeywell flat-panel avionics and more standard
equipment, according to Jack Pelton, the firm's svp for product
engineering and acting president.
Priced at $9.895 million, the XLS will cost virtually the same
as an Excel upgraded with the options that have become standard
fit. MTOW is going up to 20,200 pounds, but the XLS will be fitted
with PWC545B turbofans, rated at 3,990 pounds thrust for takeoff
so the aircraft's short field capabilities won't be comprised.
The engines also produce more high altitude thrust, resulting
in shorter times to climb and up to 33 kt more cruise speed.
Up front, XLS will be fitted with the Primus 1000 CDS, short for
Control Display System, that features three Sovereign-size Honeywell
Primus Epic LCDs linked to the well proven P1000 integrated avionics
computer. Standard equipment also includes Primus II radios, a
Primus 880 Doppler weather radar, TCAS II and Enhanced GPWS. The
crew also will sit in new Goodrich Aerospace crew chairs.
The XLS will accommodate up to nine passengers and new BE Aerospace
(aka AMP) passenger chairs will offer more hip room. Standard
LED lighting will offer much greater MTBFs and cabin furniture
will be restyled and upgraded.
A five-year, 5,000-hour warranty will cover the airframe and avionics.
The PWC545Bs will be covered for five years or 2,500 hours. Other
parts, including interior furnishings, will have a one-year warranty.
Citation XLS is on display at Static Display Spot 5 and Cessna
is exhibiting at Booth 5377.
