Aero-TV: Improving the Citation X – Cessnas Elliptical Winglets Update
April 15, 2011
Manager Gary Genge Discusses the Winglets Retrofit Update From its maiden flight in September of 2007, to its first retrofit in August of 2009, Cessna’s Citation X Elliptical Winglets update has made extraordinary progress in the past two years. After receiving their supplemental type certificates from the FAA and EASA for the installation in June, Cessna Aircraft Company announced the first delivery of the Citation X to be fitted with Elliptical Winglets. Though the first installation was carried out at the Wichita Cessna Service Center, plans are currently underway to expand the Elliptical Winglet installation to all nine Cessna Service Centers throughout the US and Europe. A collaborative effort with the Wichita-based Winglet Technology, the patented design optimizes lift distribution along the entirety of the Citation X wingspan. The resulting reduction in induced drag significantly improves the operational performance of the Citation X. The exceptional technology has increased takeoff weight and climb performance in hot or high departure locations; the Citation X can now climb to FL450 at maximum takeoff weight (increased to 1200 pounds), with a maximum cruise speed for altitudes above FL410 increased up to 15 knots. In addition, the Elliptical Winglet installation dramatically increases the aircraft efficiency, providing for a 4-5% reduction in fuel consumption and a maximum range increase of up to 150 nautical miles. Copyright 2009, Aero-News Network, Inc., All …
Comments
15 Responses to “Aero-TV: Improving the Citation X – Cessnas Elliptical Winglets Update”
Got something to say?
You can buy many whole aircraft for 593K so why does it cost so much to purchase and install?
Love emm all citation
I dont know a lot about aircraft but I do know that the belly on these X’s really set them apart from anything made, they are absolutely stunning aircraft.
@stretch34318 its not minimal feul savings, each round trip and turnovers can save up to around 350 gallons of feul, they will pay for themselvs quite quickly.
@dodospitfire Well the performance I have noticed after many hours in 3 retroed 10s about the only diffs I seem to notice is banking performance and a tad less Fuel usage. As close as our record indicate Thursdays 2200 mile jaunt saved about 40lbs on our A usage. As for air speed we really have not noticed much of an increase but air is different everywhere so sometimes it is hard to calculate. Good comment though
@pborty It is abit costly but after flyin with em it is money well spent.;-)
Flown em and like em! Worth the Money. Our Firm retroed 5 in this fashion
Regardless of the cost, winglets make the Citation X look beautiful.
Retrofit winglets will pay for themselves. You get an aircraft that will fly faster, fly farther, burn less fuel, pollute less & look cool.
Definately awesome! Not only will it save fuel, it looks stunning. Can’t wait to see some of these mods in Greensboro. That would definately be good work there! =)
man, only the “Erudite Elite” seem to transact on this level. “yeah, uh…ughm, Gonna go ahead and throw some $590,000 winglets on the company Jet” No Prob. we’ll arrive at the Palm Springs Golf Course 4 kts faster, and well……….sure looks a lot cooler now, huh? Lol! must be nice sigh*
Cost factor: high.
Bad-A_s factor: priceless.
Thats a hefty sum, wow
Had the same thought.
I wonder if they will ever pay for themselves in fuel savings over the lifetime of the aircraft?
600k is a lot to cover for such minimal fuel savings.