Business Jets - The Cessna Citation Excel

The Cessna Citation Excel, Model 560XL, is a turbofan-powered small-to-medium sized business jet built by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. Several jets in the Citation family, which includes the Excel, the Citation XLS, the Citation XLS+ and the Citation Sovereign, precede it. The Excel project was originally announced in October, 1994, and the prototype aircraft debuted on February 29, 1996.

Similarly to its main inspiration, the Citation X, which enjoyed great popularity by the time it was introduced in the market, the Citation Excel broke from the traditional image of the Citation line by using a new combination of technologies and designs. It represented a chance to hit the traditional Citation market with the new and revolutionary features introduced by the Citation X.

The basis of the Excel is a shortened Citation X fuselage combined with a modified unswept supercritical wing, a cruciform tail configuration and the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW-545A series turbofans. This allowed the Excel to develop a maximum cruising speed of 429 knots.

Additional design features include a standard Honeywell Primus 1000 three 8 x 7in screen EFIS avionics package and trailing link main undercarriage units.

The Excel\'s maximum certificated altitude is 45,000 ft and its range at economical cruising speed with two pilots, four passengers and IFR reserves is 2,080 nm. It weights 11,910 lb empty and has a maximum takeoff weight of 20,000 lb. The fuselage has a 51ft 10in length, 55ft 10in wingspan, and a height of 17ft 3in. The Excel has several interior configurations with seating for up to 10 passengers in the main cabin.

The Citation XLS superseded the Excel, featuring the upgraded PW545B engines with increased performance. It was later upgraded to the XLS+, with the inclusion of FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Controls) engine controls and improved PW545C engines.

The Model 680 Citation Sovereign debuted in February, 2002, and featured FADEC equipped, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C turbofan engines. It surged to cover the need for a high-performance jet midway between the Excel/XLS size and the Citation X.

The Sovereign is flown by two pilots and can seat between 8-12 passengers. With a length of 63.6 ft, a wingspan of 63.2 ft and a height of 20.4 ft the Sovereign provides adequate room for a mid-sized business jet. It has a 17,700 lb empty weight and a 30,550 lb max takeoff weight. The Sovereign is able to develop a max speed of 458 knots and a range of 2,603 nautical miles, with a rate of climb of 3,571 ft/min and a service ceiling of 47,000 ft.

Cessna\'s mission of reinvigorating the Citation line is proceeding strongly. What started with the introduction of the Citation X continues with the Citation Excel.

Airplane Pilot Careers is dedicated to helping pilots land their dream jobs. Come see us and get a free e-logbook and resume tips.

How Bad is Products Liability Insurance Hurting General Aviation Manufacturers?
Currently so many general aviation manufacturers must burden the costs of increased liability from potential lawsuits. Even if an aircraft crash is pi...

Sex in a Cessna, Part III
So far we have learned the safety aspect of setting the aircraft up in non-restricted airspace, with auto-pilot and away from other aircraft traffic. ...

Changes in the Aviation Industry; Blue Skies Ahead and a Few Low Clouds
We are currently seeing the rage in Fraction Jet markets slow, perhaps due to competition and availability. But many folks who were NetJet type client...

A Private Jet - Your Personal Flying Office
There are now thousands of business executives around the world who use a private jet as a way of conducting their businesses on the move. This is no ...

Why Fly Private
There are many reasons why busy executives choose air charter or a charter flight rather than commercial flights. Convenience, time savings, comfort ...

Mirrors to Redirect Mini Laser Weapons on Fighters for Vortex Airflows
Recently a new airborne laser system was announced to be put onto fighter jets, once this technology becomes more advanced we will no longer need miss...

Starting an Aircraft Washing Business
So you love airplanes and you want to start an aircraft washing service? I cannot blame you, as I did the same thing. After cleaning Thousands of airc...

High Speed Business Building
Building a high speed downline requires the ability laser target what needs to be done. Too many people spend WAY too much time trying to figure out ...

Ways to Excel at Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Through search engine marketing, you will be able to direct more traffic to your site. There are various ways for you to do this. Some are offered fo...

Productive Search Engine Traffic - How to Excel At Search Engine Traffic
To excel at search engine traffic, you must first prepare the contents of your website to accommodate good optimization techniques. Productive search ...

Modern Aircraft-The Piaggio Avanti II
The Piaggio Avanti is an executive aircraft built by the Italian firm Piaggio Aero. The Avanti has a visual flair reminiscent of ground bound vehicles...

Business Jets - The Raytheon Hawker 4000
The Hawker 4000 is an all-new super mid size corporate jet built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company. It was originally announced under the name of Hawke...

Airline Aircraft Washing Business - Comments and Considerations
Often, new entrepreneur entrants into the aircraft washing business, have bigger eyes than their stomachs. They decide to go into business and the fir...

FAA Bureaucracy Insane
The Federal Aviation Administration is considering imposing user fees on general aviation. Why? Because those morons cannot seem to control their cost...

Accelerating Advanced Active Afterburners
Afterburners are a way of restricting exhaust flow from jet engines to develop more thrust. Most of these systems are hydraulic and have a slight dela...