Cessna Citation Columbus
By Mark Huber - February 1, 2009
After more than a decade of studies and market research, Cessna Aircraft Co. last February officially launched its first large-cabin business jet, surprising few with its “worst-kept secret,” but pleasing many.
The eight-passenger Citation Model 850 Columbus will sell for $27 million (2008 dollars). According to the company, it will have a maximum cruise speed of 488 knots (Mach 0.85), fly 4,000 nautical miles before stopping for fuel and be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s new, fuel-efficient, low-noise and low-emission PW810 turbofans. Cabin altitude at its certified ceiling of 45,000 feet will be 6,700 feet. The cockpit will incorporate the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics system and the cabin will have the latest in-flight entertainment options, including Internet access.
Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton estimated the jet’s development cost at $775 million and said that the company is not recruiting risk-sharing partners for the project. Certification is planned for 2013 and initial customer deliveries are scheduled for 2014. At the time of the project’s official launch, the company claimed it already had received 70 letters of intent from prospective buyers. The Wichita airplane manufacturer, a Textron company, aims to reduce costs and speed development by acting more as an assembler and integrator than a manufacturer on the Columbus, farming out production of major exterior and interior components to suppliers.
Externally, the Columbus resembles the sleek Mach 0.92 Citation X on steroids. But Cessna rethought just about everything with regard to the aircraft’s interior. Unlike other Citations, the Columbus will have a flat floor and true stand-up headroom, equivalent to that of a top-of-the-line Gulfstream. It will also have a cabin that is at least two feet longer than anything else in its class.
The Columbus incorporates other significant design departures as well: a large cabin door, entry area and galley; a walk-in lavatory and closet; and a baggage compartment that is accessible in flight.
The manufacturer faced numerous challenges in creating an interesting and relevant cabin for the Columbus, according to Cindy Halsey, Cessna’s vice president of interior design, engineering and development. She said extensive customer research was the key to getting the Columbus’ cabin right. “Our manager of interior research and development, Gary Sauber, did quite a bit of customer research,” she explained. “We conducted focus groups where we brought in current customers and said, ‘If we went down this road, what would be important to you?’ We did that in terms of cabins, flight decks and features.” A preliminary mockup of the aircraft’s interior began making the rounds at major industry trade shows in 2006 and was well received.
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