Seattle, WA, USA -- (Jobwerx) -- Cessna Aircraft Company has announced the first successful flight of its Citation Mustang. This is the company's newest entry-level business jet and marks a major milestone for the aircraft as Cessna makes the dream of personal jet ownership more affordable and attainable.

Priced at $2.4 million, the Mustang offers exceptional performance backed by the same quality, safety and support that have been the foundation of the Citation program for more than 30 years. Originally launched at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention in 2002, there are currently more than 200 orders for the aircraft, with first delivery anticipated in late 2006.

"Once again, Cessna ingenuity and innovation is changing the face of the industry," said Textron Chairman, President and CEO, Lewis B. Campbell. "At a price point nearly half the lowest-priced business jet on the market today, the Mustang opens up the possibility of jet ownership for an entirely new range of customers - and all without compromising the high-end performance and features Cessna's become known for."

"When we initially entered the business jet arena, we expanded the market by providing customers with an entry-level jet that was quieter, simpler, safer and less expensive than any other business jet available at that time," said Jack J. Pelton, Cessna's Chairman, President and CEO. "The Citation Mustang builds upon this legacy and fills a void in the turbine aircraft market by offering customers a cabin-class, single pilot business jet aircraft with impressive performance at a fraction of the cost."

"We're very pleased with the results of the Mustang's first flight," added Pelton. "The testing went just as we'd planned and the Mustang program is right on track."

New Entry-Level Jet - A picture-perfect flight

Piloted by Scotty Jergenson and Dave Bonifield, the Citation Mustang prototype departed from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, at 10:26 a.m. (CDT) on April 23rd. The 141-minute flight began with a climb to 11,000 feet where various stability and control tests were performed, including cycling of the landing gear, flaps, and speed brakes. The first flight concluded at 12:47 p.m. (CDT) when the Citation Mustang landed at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport.

The Citation Mustang is currently being assembled at Cessna's Wichita facility. However, the Citation Mustang is the first Citation that will be built at Cessna's Independence, Kansas, facility. Cessna will begin locating Citation Mustang tooling at its Independence facility this summer, and will move full production to Independence in the fourth quarter of 2005.

The Citation Mustang will be certified as a FAR Part 23 aircraft, with an anticipated cruise speed of 340 knots, and maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet. The two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F dual-channel FADEC engines each provide 1,350 lbs of thrust flat rated to ISA+10°C. The fully integrated, all-glass Garmin International G1000 avionics suite features three glass displays - two 10-inch PFDs and one 15-inch MFD at the heart of the panel.

For more information about the Citation Mustang and its first flight, try Search powered by and visit Cessna's website or call (800) 4-CESSNA or (800) 423-7762 .