Cessna Aircraft Company, Textron Aviation, is an American aircraft manufacturer, a member of the list of the most famous and large aviation corporations in the world, engaged in the development and design of small and medium-sized administrative aircraft, as well as sports aircraft and monoplanes. Over the 90-year history, aircraft models have been produced here that cover many different missions: from the popular universal Cessna 172 to the double Cessna 152, the classic Cessna 182 Skylane or the high-speed Cessna 206 Stationair, the reliable Cessna 210 Centurion, the popular twin-engine Cessna 340 and many others.
The founder of the company in 1927 was the ambitious Kansas farmer Clyde Vernon Cessna, who started, like many other aviation pioneers, with the invention of his aircraft. The construction of the first Silverwing monoplane began in 1911, from woody materials, equipped with an Elbridge 4-cylinder engine producing 40 hp. Having suffered a series of setbacks with his invention, the aviator decided not to stop there and for a few years continued his studies, founded several more aircraft factories before opening his Cessna Aircraft Company in 1927 together with the aviation entrepreneur Victor Rus.
Despite the series of economic crises that followed and the so-called Great Depression, when all enterprises closed one after another, in 1933 the company launched the unique Cessna CR-3 sports aircraft, which won the American air race and set the speed record in its category - 381 km / h .
1934 was one of the most successful companies in the life of the company: engineers created the Airmaster model, which for a long time was considered the most efficient aircraft. This aircraft broke the records of that time in circulation: its release exceeded 200 aircraft per year. The first aircraft of this model were built of metal and wood: the nose part was trimmed with duralumin, the bearing surfaces with plywood, and the remaining parts with canvas.
The aircraft was equipped with a single Warner Super Scarab Series 50 engine (108 kW). The weight of an empty aircraft is 620 kg, the maximum mass for take-off is 1066 kg. The flight range is 885 km, the maximum height is 5485 m. It was thanks to this decisive step that the company managed to recover from the collapse of the aviation industry during the economic crisis.
In 1940, the twin-engine light 5-seater civilian transport planes Bobcat, Model T-50 replaced the single-engine ones. This innovative monoplane was extremely successful: in just 4 years, more than 5,400 aircraft of this model were sold. The aircraft could be used to perform various tasks, one of which was training future pilots. To equip the aircraft used 2 engine Jacobs R-755-9 (183 kW). These aircraft were widely used by the United States Army Air Force as a liaison, auxiliary, and also as a light transport for the transport of personnel.
In 1956, the most massive aircraft in the history of aviation was launched: the Skyhawk 172. To date, more than 44,000 aircraft of this model has been produced in 25 versions. Reliable, lightweight, easy-to-fly aircraft literally enjoys worldwide fame.
The aircraft can accommodate 4 people (1 pilot and 3 passengers). The weight of an empty aircraft is 736 kg, the maximum take-off weight is 1159 kg. The aircraft is equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-L2A flat-4 engine (120 kW). Speeds: maximum at sea level: 228 km / h, maximum allowable: 302 km / h. Flight range: 1272 km. Practical ceiling - 4116 m.
Interesting: it was at Skyhawk, equipped with additional fuel tanks, flew from Helsinki in May 1987, Mathias Rust.
The production of private jets began in 1968: the United States made it clear that rich people need comfortable private jets. Cessna responded with the release of the Citation 500 model, and in the late 70s the first models of the Cessna Citation: Sovereign and Excel family rose to the sky. To date, the Cessna aircraft are the most popular and numerous in business class in the medium and light aircraft segment. They successfully combine comfort for passengers with excellent technical characteristics.
In the entire history of the Citation line, the largest business fleet has been formed, consisting of more than 20 models of various configurations and equipment.
Current models of Cessna business jets:
CitationJet/M2, CJ series
CitationJet (since 1991) - a series of aircraft, including models CJ, CJ1, CJ1 +, M2, CJ2, CJ2 +, CJ3, CJ3 +, CJ4. 2000 copies were produced. The CitationJet is a cantilever monoplane with a low wing, two Williams FJ44 engines and a new tail unit. It was developed as a replacement for the Citation I. The Cessna Citation M2, equipped with improved FJ44-1AP-21 turbofans and Garmin G3000 avionics, was a full replacement for the Citation Mustang, receiving 7 passengers in the standard layout at a speed of 748 km / h and a range of 2,871 km .
Citation X/X+ (since 1996) - an improved version of the Citation III / VI / VII series, featuring a wing design, engines and a new set of avionics. The main distinctive feature of the models of this series is the increased flight speed and maximum take-off weight, the answer to the Learjet aircraft competing in this segment. The maximum take-off weight increased to 16,602 kg, the maximum cruise speed increased to 976 km / h, and the maximum range increased to 6,004 km.
XL Excel/XLS/XLS+
XL Excel/XLS/XLS+ (since 1996) - new models are a combination of technologies and designs. The fuselage of the Citation X, the wing of the Citation V Ultra and the tail of the Citation V, resulted in increased performance, a completely revised design, coupled with innovative avionics.
Sovereign
Sovereign (since 2004) - a medium business jet, between the smaller Citation Excel and the larger Citation X. This model has filled the competing segment near transcontinental aircraft, along with the Hawker 800 and Learjet 60. For 12 passengers and 2 crew members, the aircraft received a cruise speed at 852 km / h and a range of 5,926 km.
Latitude
Latitude (since 2015) - a larger variation of Citation Excel and cheaper than Citation Sovereign. Accommodates 9 passengers at a cruise speed of 826 km / h and a range of 5,278 km.
Longitude (since 2017) - a new development, which replaced the canceled Cessna Citation Columbus. Capacity 8-12 people, 2 + 1 crew, cruise speed of 882 km / h and a range of 6,482 km.