According to Textron Aviation, its newest Cessna offering, the Citation Latitude, is on track to receive certification from ANAC, Brazil’s civil aviation authority within the next few weeks, followed shortly thereafter by the first deliveries of the midsize aircraft in the region. The Latitude made its LABACE debut last year, and is once again on show in the static display at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport. The clean-sheet-design twinjet entered service last August and has seen 32 deliveries through the end of June.
The Latitude represents the first of Cessna’s next generation of larger aircraft. The super midsize Citation Longitude is anticipated to make its first flight in the coming weeks, while the Citation Hemisphere, the largest aircraft in Cessna history, is slated to fly sometime in 2019.
Cessna is the worldwide leader in light jets, having delivered more than 5,000, and rounding out its jet line up in the static display are the Citation CJ3+, Citation M2, and Mustang.
Also on hand here at LABACE and pending ANAC approval as well, is the Beechcraft King Air 350i, equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics system. Featuring three 14-inch interchangeable high-resolution displays with touchscreen capability, high-resolution synthetic vision and full multi-sensor flight management system, the avionics suite provides an open and scalable architecture to accommodate future upgrades.
Combined with Cessna’s Caravans (an example of the Grand Caravan EX is on display at LABACE), Textron leads the Latin American market with more than 1,700 turboprop aircraft in service. Its latest design, the Cessna Denali, was unveiled earlier this year. A clean-sheet single-engine turboprop, the six-to-nine passenger aircraft is planned to have a range of 1,600 nautical miles at high speed cruise, with a payload of 1,100 lbs.
"Through new-product delvelopment, continuous enhancement to existing products, and support resources strategically positioned throughout the region, Textron Aviation's commitment to the unique requirements of this market is stronger than ever," said Lannie O'Bannion the manufacturer's vice president of sales for Latin America and the Caribbean, "and our investment continues."
