Cessna: aircraft manufacturer

Cessna is an aircraft manufacturer like Dassault or Bombardier, part of the Textron Aviation group. So Cessna joins the other aircraft manufacturer: Beechcraft.

This company, which specialises in aeronautical final assembly, makes private jets and turboprops, in particular for civil aviation, large aircraft and business aviation.

Let’s take a look back at this manufacturer’s history in the airspace and aerospace markets, and find out more about its aircraft ranges and fleet.

Cessna today:

A few figures:

Today, aircraft manufacturer Cessna is part of the global giant Textron Aviation.

The company has 15,000 employees worldwide.

And the company’s European sales will reach €22.6 million in 2021.

A committed private jet manufacturer:

The race to reduce pollution is on right now. Cessna is no exception to the rule, and is committed to ensuring a greener Earth for future generations

That’s why Cessna is committed to :

• designing aircraft interiors using recyclable and “greener” components.
• using clean fuel (SAF) for greener skies.
• reducing its carbon emissions by 50% by 2050.

Cessna has also set itself ambitious targets for sustainable development between now and 2025:

• a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
• a 10% reduction in water use
• a 10% reduction in energy use
• a 10% reduction inwaste.

The beginnings of aircraft manufacturer Cessna

• 1911: The story begins in Kansas in the United States, with a farmer called Clyde Cessna. This true aviation enthusiast built his first plane out of wood. That year, the first aircraft was launched for the American manufacturer Cessna.

• 1924: With a friend Walter Beech (the future founder of Beechcraft), they joined forces to create an aeronautical company. However, their opinions differed on the types of aircraft models to be machined, and the two partners set up their own separate companies.

• 1927 : Clyde Cessna founded the company of the same name in Wichita, Kansas. Aircraft such as the Cessna DC-6 were created and the first aircraft orders were placed.

• 1932 : Unfortunately, the economic crisis hit the company hard, and it found itself under a steamroller. The Great Depression forced the company to close its doors. The company remained at half-mast for some time.

• 1934: A pilot friend of Clyde’s Cessna lost his life in one of his planes, which was already going at high speed at the time. Deeply affected by this loss, Cessna decided to cease all aeronautical activity.

The revival of the Cessna aeronautical company

• 1934: Dwight and Dwane Wallace are two brothers, and above all Clyde’s nephews Cessna. Theybought the company in order to get it back on its feet, get it off the ground and contribute to the success the company enjoys today.

• The 1940s: During this decade, a number of passenger aircraft were manufactured, including the Cessna 120, the Cessna 180 and the Cessna 195. This period benefited the family business. Some thirty Cessna t-50s were delivered to the US Air Force, along with 180 aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

• 1956: The Cessna 172 is one of the most highly machined passenger aircraft in the world. Cessna is one of the top three manufacturers in the general aviation sector, along with Beechcraft and Piper.

• 1963 : The aircraft manufacturer Cessna signs the production of its 50,000th aircraft! Unsurprisingly, it was with one of its flagship aircraft, a Cessna 172.
  

The arrival of Cessna business jets

• 1968 : The first single-engine business jet makes its appearance. It was the Cessna 500 Citation I. It made its first flight in airspace the following year. These aircraft were certified as Public Air Transport, and pilots had to have professional pilot training, qualifications and a pilot’s licence in order to fly this type of aircraft.

• 1975: In 12 years, the company doubled production of its single-engine aircraft. With good reason, the number of aircraft produced reached 100,000.

• 1985: TheAmerican aeronautical company is bought by General Dynamics.

• 1992: Textron Aviation takes over Cessna. The company continues to produce business jets with its Citation range.

• 2014: Textron Aviation acquires two other aerospace companies. Cessna joins the trio produced by Textron with aircraft manufacturers Beechcraft and Haker. This grouping will enable Textron to expand its range of light airliners. Textron Aviation meets a wide range of needs, including medical repatriation, air cargo, private aviation and group flights.

The Cessna fleet

Today, Cessna has 3 different fleets. The first is a fleet of turboprops. Then there is the “Piston” category. Finally, Cessna is developing and enjoying great success with its business fleet and its Citation range, a far cry from the propeller-driven aircraft.

Citation Longitude

This is the largest private jet powered by aircraft manufacturer Cessna.

On board, up to 12 passengers can travel in complete safety and comfort. Which makes it ideal for transporting a vice-president, for example.

Its range extends to 7,400 km, thanks to its reasonable fuel consumption. This means it can be used for a long-haul flight, such as Paris – New York, but also for a medium-haul flight of around eight hours.

What’s more, this comfortable, quiet cabin also features high-performance air filtering. A simulator proves that HEPA filters eliminate almost 100% of viruses, bacteria and other germs in the air.

Its cockpit also features the latest flight control technology and simplified joystick access.

Example price per route: Paris – New York: from €70,000.

Latitude Citation

With a maximum capacity of 9 people, this private jet, with itsaerodynamic lines and maximum speed, belongs to the category of intermediate private jets.

Its range of 5,300 km guarantees medium-haul journeys with full on-board equipment.

Its contemporary, bright and comfortable cabin ranksthis business jet among the most refined in its avionics category.

Sample fare per route: Paris – Athens: from €22,500.

Citation XLS

This mid-size jet can carry up to 10 people (and up to 12 for the Citation XLS Gen 2). The private jet is designed for a range of 3,600 km. This means that this business jet can fly non-stop between several European cities, for example.

What’s more, this passenger aircraft isperfectly suited to airports with limited runways or difficult access.

Of course, like the other jet-powered aircraft in the Citation range, cabin comfort is undeniable.

Example price per route: Paris – Marrakech: from €17,000.

CJ4 Citation

This is the successor version to the CJ3. Larger cabin, greater range, more comfort and improved cruising speed.

This business jet can carry up to 9 passengers (and 10 passengers for its latest model Citation CJ4 Gen 2). With a range of 3,700 km, it can be used for a wide variety of short- and medium-haul routes.

Example price per route: Paris – Moscow: from €25,000.

Citation CJ3

The citation CJ3 can seat 6 passengers. It belongs to the “light jet” category of light business jets.

It is one of the best small aircraft on the market. It is ideal for short distances of up to 2,500 km. It offers unbeatable performance and cost.

It is powered by a twin-engine Williams FJ44-3A and two jet engines. The aircraft manufacturer is also offering an upgrade to this jet with the Citation CJ3+.

Finally, this private jet seats 12 passengers and has a slightly longer range.

Example price per route: Paris – Saint Tropez: from €11,000.

Citation M2

This light private jet resembles the new version of the Citation Mustang.

But it has a quieter , more spacious cabin . Up to 6 passengers can travel on board for a maximum distance of 2,900 km.

It should be noted that the evolution of this model, the Citation M2 Gen 2, welcomes 7 passengers on board.

In conclusion, all these features make this private jet a genuine combination of efficiency and value for money.

Example price per route: Paris – Ajaccio: from €6750.

Mustang Quote

This ultra-light private jet is very practical and ideal for a trip of up to 4 people, with a flight time of less than 2 hours.

It offers excellent value for money. That’s why it’s so sought-after.

In addition to the qualities it offers, the Mustang has the capacity to access airports with a short runway. It’s practical for short flights without a lot of baggage.

Example price per route: Paris – Geneva: from €12,000.

Discover the other air creations Cessna Citation still active in business aviation: Citation I, Citation II, Citation III, Citation VI, Citation VII, Citation X, Citation Sovereign, Citation CJ1, Citation CJ2, Citation Encore, Citation Bravo, Citation Excel (former version of the XLS), Citation Jet.

The other two Cessna aircraft ranges.

Cessna offers two other fleets of aircraft. These are theTurbopropand thePiston.

The first brings together three turboprops. The Grand Caravan EX and the Cessna Caravan can accommodate up to 14 passengers. It should be noted that these two models cover distances of around 1,500 km.

In the United States, for example, these models are widely used asregional jets.

The last turboprop is the Cessna SkyCourier, which can carry up to 19 passengers on group flights.

Finally, the last range of aircraft to complete the Cessna fleet is the “Piston” category. This is a range of aircraft with a single engine (they are single-engined) dedicated to pilot training but also for leisure aviation. Consequently, these aircraft will not be used for business aviation.

The Cessna “Air Ambulance” mission.

Cessna‘s numerous business jets, all with different characteristics, have in common the ability to modulate and carry out medical flights.

This is the case, for example, of the Citation XLS models, proposed in the list above, which can act as a transporter.

These aircraft with their many assets can be requisitioned for medical repatriations or deliveries.

Stretchers can also be installed in the cabin, along with all the necessary medical equipment.

Charter a Cessna aircraft with AEROAFFAIRES.

At AEROAFFAIRES, we do our utmost to select the right business jets for you. If you would like to book a private flight aboard one of our aircraft Cessna Citation , please contact us on +33 (0)1 44 09 91 82 by email at charter@aeroaffaires.com or fill in our online quote form.