New twist for the stately Sovereign business jet

The first production version of the updated Citation Sovereign has rolled off the production line in Wichita. The first of six new Cessna aircraft expected to hit the market this year.
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"This rollout today is proof of Cessna's commitment to bringing new products to customers in 2013, and demonstrates our strong investment in the future," said Kelly Reich, business leader for the New Citation Sovereign.
The aircraft was announced at NBAA five months ago. Reich said, "It's a short turn-around from just announcing this programme last fall, to already having an aircraft rolling out the door and headed to the next stages of completion. This is a testament to the team of people designing and building Cessna's next generation of aircraft. It takes hard work and dedication to accomplish what this team has accomplished."
 
The newest Citation will have a range of 3,000 nm (3,452 statute miles). It features improved cabin cooling, Garmin G5000 avionics with auto throttles, and a new cabin management system. Winglets have been added to the New Sovereign, contributing to the increase range and enabling a direct climb to 45,000 feet. With a newly announced five year warranty package, the New Sovereign offers owners even greater value.
 
"Success breeds success and that's easy to see with the New Sovereign," said Michael Thacker, senior vice president of Engineering. "Once again, Cessna took a great aircraft and made it even better.."
 
The Citation Sovereign has been in service since 2004 with a number of the aircraft in action in the Middle East region. It features one of the longest cabins for its class, has a typical seating configuration for nine passengers and is well known for being able to operate into and out of short runways. It should receive FAA certification later this year. It will have a maximum cruise speed of 458 kts (527 statute miles per hour).