aerobd.com : The new super-midsize jet from Cessna, the Citation Longitude, has made its first flight. “Our product development process is second to none and allowed us to move smoothly from unveiling the Longitude last November to the first flight of the prototype in just 11 months,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO, Textron Aviation.

“This milestone not only showcases our continued commitment to investing in new products to meet market demand, but also our focus on investing in our development and production processes to bring the aircraft to market quickly without compromise.”

The prototype aircraft will continue to expand the performance envelope, focusing on testing flight controls and aerodynamics, while the first production model, set to fly in the coming weeks, will be primarily used for systems testing.

With seating for up to 12 passengers, the Longitude features a stand-up, flat-floor cabin with a standard double-club configuration and a walk-in baggage compartment that is fully accessible in flight. Other highlights include a 5,950ft cabin altitude, standard high-speed internet, and the ability for passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile device. The clean-sheet aircraft offers a full fuel payload of 1,500 lb, a maximum cruise speed of 476kts and a high-speed range of 3,400 nautical miles.