Cessna Citation Longitude: An Overview

The Cessna Citation Longitude is a flagship model in the super-midsize jet category, offering a perfect blend of luxury, performance, and technology. As the largest aircraft in Cessna’s Citation family, the Longitude is designed to deliver long-range capabilities, superior cabin comfort, and state-of-the-art avionics. Whether for business or leisure travel, the Citation Longitude is built to meet the highest standards of comfort, efficiency, and performance.

In this blog post, we will explore the Cessna Citation Longitude’s features, including its interior, exterior, flight range, passenger capacity, performance, technology, and operational efficiency.

Interior

The interior of the Cessna Citation Longitude is designed with luxury and passenger comfort in mind. With seating for up to 12 passengers, the cabin offers a spacious, quiet, and elegant environment, making it perfect for long-range travel. The Longitude’s interior emphasizes premium materials and attention to detail, providing a first-class flying experience.

Key features of the interior include:

• Seating: The cabin is typically configured with double-club seating for 8 passengers, with the option to accommodate up to 12 passengers in a high-density layout. The fully reclining seats can convert into beds, ideal for overnight flights.
• Cabin Dimensions:
  • Height: 6 feet (1.83 meters)
  • Width: 6.4 feet (1.95 meters)
  • Length: 25 feet (7.67 meters)
• Amenities: The cabin is equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth-enabled cabin management system, and large entertainment screens. Passengers can control lighting, temperature, and media from personal devices or touch screens.
• Refreshment Center: A full galley with modern appliances is available to serve meals and beverages during flights, while the private lavatory is located in the rear of the cabin.
• Noise Reduction: The Longitude’s cabin is engineered to be one of the quietest in its class, providing a peaceful environment for work or relaxation.

Exterior

The Cessna Citation Longitude combines sleek lines and a modern design with advanced aerodynamics, ensuring optimal performance and fuel efficiency. The aircraft’s long wingspan and distinct swept winglets contribute to its high-speed capabilities and smooth ride.

Key exterior details include:

• Dimensions:
  • Wingspan: 68.9 feet (21.01 meters)
  • Length: 73.2 feet (22.3 meters)
  • Height: 19.5 feet (5.92 meters)
• Advanced Wing Design: The swept winglets reduce drag and improve aerodynamic efficiency, helping the Longitude achieve a smoother and more fuel-efficient flight.
• Landing Gear: The retractable tricycle landing gear is designed for a smooth touchdown, even on shorter runways.

Flight Range

The Cessna Citation Longitude is celebrated for its long-range capabilities, making it ideal for cross-continental or transoceanic flights. With its impressive range and high-speed performance, the Longitude opens up a world of travel opportunities.

• Maximum Range: The Longitude has a maximum range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 km), enabling non-stop flights between city pairs like:
  • New York to Paris
  • London to Dubai
  • Los Angeles to Honolulu
• Cruising Speed: The Longitude cruises at a high speed of 483 knots (556 mph or 893 km/h), allowing for faster travel times compared to other jets in its category.

Passenger Capacity

The Cessna Citation Longitude is built to carry up to 12 passengers, though the standard configuration comfortably seats 8 passengers in a double-club layout. The cabin’s versatile design allows for multiple configurations, including options for additional seating or a divan for more passengers.

• Sleeping Capacity: On long-haul flights, the fully reclining seats can be converted into lay-flat beds, providing sleeping arrangements for up to four passengers.
• Crew: The Longitude is typically operated by two pilots, with an optional flight attendant to provide in-flight service on longer trips.

Performance Figures

The Citation Longitude offers impressive performance across several key metrics, making it one of the most capable aircraft in the super-midsize category. The aircraft is powered by two Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines, providing excellent thrust and fuel efficiency.

Key performance figures include:

• Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 39,500 lbs (17,917 kg)
• Maximum Cruising Altitude: The Longitude can reach a maximum cruising altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters), allowing it to fly above commercial air traffic for a smoother ride and enhanced fuel efficiency.
• Takeoff Distance: The Longitude requires 4,810 feet (1,466 meters) for takeoff at its maximum weight, making it capable of using smaller regional airports.
• Landing Distance: The aircraft’s landing distance is 3,170 feet (966 meters), providing versatility for landings at airports with shorter runways.
• Climb Rate: The Longitude offers a fast climb rate, reaching cruising altitude quickly and minimizing time spent at lower, less fuel-efficient altitudes.

Technology and Avionics

The Cessna Citation Longitude is equipped with advanced avionics systems, making it one of the most technologically sophisticated jets in its class. The Garmin G5000 flight deck enhances safety, situational awareness, and pilot workload reduction through its intuitive design and features.

Key avionics and technology features include:

• Garmin G5000 Avionics: The cockpit features three large touchscreen displays that provide pilots with real-time data on navigation, flight management, and systems diagnostics.
• Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT): This system gives pilots a 3D view of the terrain, enhancing situational awareness, especially in low-visibility conditions.
• Autothrottle: The autothrottle system automatically adjusts engine thrust to optimize performance, reducing pilot workload and ensuring more efficient fuel consumption.
• Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS): TCAS II is integrated to provide alerts on nearby aircraft, enhancing in-flight safety.
• Flight Management System (FMS): The FMS simplifies route planning, optimizing flight paths for fuel efficiency and time savings.
• Optional HUD: An optional Head-Up Display (HUD) projects critical flight information directly into the pilot’s line of sight, enhancing safety and situational awareness.

Cost and Operational Efficiency

The Cessna Citation Longitude is designed to be both high-performing and cost-efficient. While it offers the long-range capabilities and performance of larger jets, it maintains a lower operating cost compared to competitors in its class, making it a financially attractive option for frequent flyers or business jet operators.

• Fuel Efficiency: Thanks to its advanced aerodynamic design and efficient engines, the Longitude offers excellent fuel economy, even on longer flights.
• Maintenance: With predictive maintenance systems and Cessna’s global support network, the Longitude is engineered for reliability and lower downtime, ensuring minimal operational disruptions and reduced maintenance costs.
• Lower Operating Costs: The single-point refueling capability, efficient engines, and smaller crew size contribute to its relatively low operational costs for a super-midsize jet.

Conclusion

The Cessna Citation Longitude stands out as a top-tier super-midsize jet, delivering exceptional range, speed, and comfort in a well-rounded package. Its luxurious interior, advanced technology, and cost-efficiency make it an attractive option for both private owners and charter operators.

Whether you’re flying across the continent for business or embarking on a transoceanic journey for leisure, the Longitude provides a seamless travel experience. With its long-range capabilities and ability to operate from smaller airports, the Longitude is a versatile and reliable choice for those seeking high-performance aviation with a focus on comfort and luxury.