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The Cessna Citation Mustang, Model 510, is a “very light jet” (VLJ) class business jet built by Cessna Aircraft Company at their Independence, Kansas production facility. The Mustang, in standard configuration, has four passenger seats in the aft cabin and seating for two in the cockpit. Like other small business jets, the Mustang is certified to fly without a co-pilot.
Development
The Mustang first flew on 23 April 2005. The airplane received full type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration on September 8, 2006. Cessna received FAA certification to fly into “known icing conditions” on November 9, 2006. Cessna delivered the first production VLJ to Mustang Management Group of Fresno, California on November 23, 2006, the same day the FAA awarded Cessna with the necessary certification.
The Mustang was the first of its class to receive full type certification, first to receive certification to fly into known-icing conditions, the first VLJ to be delivered to a customer, and makes Cessna the first company to obtain a FAA Production Certificate for a VLJ.
Design
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The Mustang airframe is constructed primarily of aluminium alloys, with a three spar wing group. One main door is located in the forward left section of the aircraft, with an additional emergency exit situated on the center right section of the fuselage.
Unlike many light jets, there is no overhead panel – instead, all the switches and gauges are on the instrument panel and centre console. The console also carries the thrust levers, pitch trim wheel and co-located indicator, flap lever, an alphanumeric keypad for the Flight Management System and the switches for aileron and rudder trim. Jets are traditionally fitted with ‘thrust levers’, but the Mustang’s are labelled as ‘throttles’. Speculated to be a clever marketing ploy to enhance the aircraft’s attractiveness to pilots trading up from a piston twin. The instrument panel is dominated by the huge, centrally mounted 38cm multi-function display (MFD) and each pilot has a large Primary Flight Display (PFD).
Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F turbofan engines, mounted in pods on the aft fuselage, power the aircraft. The landing gear is fully retractable and are equipped with anti-skid protection.
Cessna does not consider the Mustang to be a typical VLJ for several reasons, including the fact that its design is based on the company’s experience with larger jets, and it is certified to the same jet standards as the CJ series jets.
The Cessna Mustang has an on board toilet located between the cockpit and passenger cabin. The New York Times has questioned whether the availability of an on board lavatory would be the key factor in the pending consumer success of Very Light Jets, because not all Very Light Jets have a lavatory.
Specifications
Data from Cessna Aircraft Company
General characteristics
- Crew: one or two pilots
- Capacity: 4 to 5 passengers
- Length: 40‘3“ (13.16 m)
- Wingspan: 43’5″ (13.16 m)
- Height: 13’5″ (4.09 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 8645 lb (3930 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F turbofan engines, 1,460 lb/ea. (6.49 kN) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 340 kn (630 km/h)
- Range: 1,150 nmi (at max. weight) (2,130 km)
- Service ceiling 41,000 ft (12,500 m)
- Takeoff distance: 3,110 ft (948 m)
- Landing distance: 2,390 ft (729 m)
Avionics
Garmin G1000
References
- Cessna Aircraft Cessna Citation Mustang Cleared for Flight Into Known Icing Conditions Cessna Press Release; November 9, 2006 (last accessed Nov. 29, 2006)
- Cessna Beats Out Eclipse In First VLJ delivery. AVWeb (2006–11-23). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
- Dave Unwin flies Cessnas amazing new light jet: the magnificent Mustang Lusso Magazine Flight Test
- Flying Magazine, 5/2007, p. 58
- Joe Sharkey Big Battle in Small Jet Skies New York Times Tuesday, August 29, 2006
- Citation Mustang / Specifications & Weights. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
External links
- Flight test of the Cessna Mustang
- Review of a Demo Flight by a transitioning Cirrus pilot
- Manufacturer’s website
- Cessna Citation Mustang Named “Product of the Year” by Aviation Consumer
- airliners.net – gallery of airshow previews and mock-ups of the Cessna 510 Citation Mustang