Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel, XL, XLS, and Ascend

Kerry Lynch

Textron Aviation received FAA approval for its Cessna Citation Ascend yesterday, paving the way for the latest iteration of the venerable Excel/XLS midsize jet family to reach market later this year. Launched at EBACE 2023, the Ascend brings a flat floor to the family, along with the Garmin G5000 avionics suite and improved performance. NetJets is slated to be the launch customer under a multi-year 1,500-aircraft contract for the Citation Longitude and Latitude, as well as the Ascend.
Coming amid the government shutdown, certification followed the debut of the aircraft at NBAA-BACE in October and the rollout of the first production model in September at Textron Aviation’s headquarters in Wichita. FAA approval was the culmination of numerous certification tests and more than 1,000 flight hours accrued on two flight test articles, Textron Aviation said.
“The Citation Ascend’s successful flight test program reflects our teams’ expertise in obtaining FAA certification while designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers,” said Chris Hearne, senior v-p of engineering and programs. “We sought our customers’ feedback, and the result is a business jet that offers customers the latest innovations in performance, productivity, and efficiency.”
Replacing the XLS Gen2, the changes in the newest model are so significant that Textron Aviation opted for a new name for the aircraft, setting it apart from a family that has already accounted for more than 1,000 units delivered since 2000.
The avionics suite includes autothrottle; three large 14-inch ultra-high-resolution displays with split-screen capability; standard dual flight management systems, synthetic vision system; cockpit voice and data satellite transceiver for satellite calls from the flight deck; Garmin advanced weather detection and avoidance technology; and, a second Iridium data radio and controller-pilot datalink communications supporting customers with more direct routing between North America and Europe (optional).
Additionally, the aircraft sports upgraded Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PW545D engines that provide improved fuel efficiency and increased thrust. The Ascend has a maximum speed of &nbsp;441 ktas, maximum range of 1,940 nm, and a full fuel payload of 900 pounds.
Another addition is an unattended Honeywell RE100 [XL] auxiliary power unit with self-management and added bleed leak detection that enables heating and cooling of the cabin using less fuel and more quietly.
Perhaps one of the most significant changes is the flat floor, which provides for cabin flexibility and ease of seat movement with more legroom. Capable of seating up to 12 passengers, the cabin folds in many amenities already found on its larger Citation siblings, the Latitude and Longitude.
It incorporates an advanced acoustic treatment system, lowering cabin sound levels to that similar of a car on a highway.&nbsp; New windows are 15% larger, providing more natural light into the cabin, and another optional feature is lighted window rings. Cabin shades have translucent and opaque settings.
Nineteen standard USB charging ports and three universal outlets are placed in the aircraft, providing access for all crew members and passengers. In addition, the aircraft enables wireless phone charging, along with wireless control of the cabin lighting, temperature, window shades, and onboard entertainment. Textron Aviation is offering the Bongiovi immersive sound system as an option.
As far as connectivity, the aircraft comes standard with Gogo Avance L3 Max Wi-Fi with Avance L5 as an option. Also available is Gogo Galileo HDX.

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Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel, XL, XLS, and Ascend

Textron Aviation

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