Textron Aviation achieved a major milestone on December 30, 2025, when its first retail customer took delivery of the Cessna Citation Ascend midsize business jet at Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft, announced in 2023, entered service just one month after receiving type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration in November, underscoring Textron’s accelerated development and certification process. This delivery follows the company’s history of more than 1,000 Cessna Citation 560XL series aircraft delivered since 2000, reinforcing its leadership in the midsize market segment.

The Citation Ascend features an all-new Garmin G5000 avionics suite, including autothrottle technology, three 14-inch ultra-high resolution displays with split-screen capability, dual flight management systems and synthetic vision. Enhanced satellite communications and weather detection further reduce pilot workload and improve flight safety. Passengers benefit from a flat-floor cabin accommodating up to 12 occupants, advanced acoustic treatment for noise levels comparable to a highway drive, and nearly 15% larger windows. Connectivity options include standard GoGo U.S. Avance L3 Max Wi-Fi with optional L5 or Gogo Galileo HDX upgrades.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, the Citation Ascend delivers a maximum speed of 441 knots true airspeed and a four-passenger range of 1,940 nautical miles. The aircraft offers a full fuel payload capacity of 900 pounds and incorporates an unattended Honeywell RE100 Auxiliary Power Unit for efficient pre-flight preparation and reduced ground noise. These performance metrics position the Ascend to serve transcontinental missions while maintaining favorable operating efficiencies that appeal to corporate and charter operators.

Textron Aviation’s global support network includes 20 company-owned service centers, 21 Authorized Service Facilities and over 80 Mobile Service Units, backed by seven parts distribution centers and 17 stockrooms handling more than 150,000 unique part numbers. Customers enjoy an 18-month or 800-hour airframe maintenance interval, five-year or 3,000-hour engine warranty, two-year paint and interior coverage, and five-year or 5,000-hour Garmin avionics warranty. Advanced diagnostic tools like Pratt & Whitney’s FAST box and LinxUs fault-notification system further minimize downtime. Optional PowerAdvantage Premium program covers environmental damage repairs and AOG engine support for comprehensive peace of mind.