In this latest edition of the jetAVIVA Blog, Kandi Spangler discusses Textron’s latest announcement: The Citation Ascend.

The wait is finally over as Textron Aviation announced the latest design model in the Citation 560XL Series, now called the “Ascend”, at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva Switzerland earlier today. For those of you who have talked to me about the XL Series in the past, know that I was awaiting this day with much excitement.  

The 560XL Series of aircraft include the Excel, XLS, XLS+, XLS Gen2, and now the Ascend. Unlike the XLS Gen2 announcement in 2020 that didn’t excite me much with its planned upgrades, the Ascend is packed with all my wish-list items and more.  

Some of my favorite features, include:

• State-of-the-art Garmin G5000 Avionics Suite
• Auto-throttles 
• Flat Floor Design (like the Latitude and Longitude)
• Bigger Windows
• Electronic Seats, including Lumbar Support
• L3 AVANCE WiFi as standard equipment
• Longer Range

The new variant will come equipped with upgraded Pratt & Whitney FADEC-controlled 545D engines that will not only be more efficient than its predecessors, it will also have longer service intervals including a 3000/6000 hour hot section and overhaul interval.

All these improvements will come at a cost; however, AIN reported the aircraft will be priced at $16,700,000 normally equipped. In my opinion – with the way costs are going these days – I’m not at all surprised and I expect the airplane to be highly popular.  

FMI, visit Textron’s website for their press release.

But if you are thinking about upgrading and want to talk about this aircraft and the XL Series in general, no one geeks out on these airplanes more than me. Please pick up the phone and call me at (312) 246-2508. I’m really good at spending other people’s money (just kidding… or am I?).

Photo credit: Textron Aviation