Textron Aviation has indicated it is ready to begin taking orders for the Cessna Citation Hemisphere, the largest aircraft in the company’s history of production. The Citation Hemisphere was announced by Textron thirteen months ago.
Following the success of the Cessna Citation Latitude, Textron appears to be moving toward galvanizing the classic American aircraft brand as a manufacturer of business jets. The Citation Latitude has, Textron indicated, become a best-selling aircraft; the 42 deliveries of the model last year make it the leader in the midsize business jet market segment for 2016.
Enter the Citation Hemisphere. As the differentiation in name might tell you, the Hemisphere’s stated range capability marks a dramatic increase: 4,500 nm for the Hemisphere, versus the Latitude’s 2,850. The number makes the Hemisphere extremely competitive at its roughly $35 million price point.
The Citation Hemisphere will also be the widest jet in the Cessna catalog: 8.6 feet, giving it the widest cabin in class. The design favors light, like other recent large business jets—most notably the Bombardier 7000—and employs 20 oversized windows for a liberated feel, as well as skylights, where Cessna, like other business jet designers, follows the lead of Dassault.
The Hemisphere can seat up to 15 in executive style. The three-zone design includes two baths; one is situated in the private space in the rear of the plane. It also comes outfitted with a luxurious galley with granite countertops.
Textron has stated that deliveries for the Citation Hemisphere will begin in 2019.