Textron rolls out first Cessna Citation Ascend ahead of FAA certification
September 16, 2025
Textron Aviation has unveiled the first production Cessna Citation Ascend at its Wichita, Kansas facility.
The midsize jet, part of the long-established 560XL series, is expected to secure US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification later this year, clearing the way for customer deliveries to begin shortly afterwards.
The Ascend is the latest development in the 560XL lineage, a series that has seen more than 1,000 aircraft delivered over the past 25 years.
The Ascend prototype completed its first flight in 2023 and the initial flight of P1, piloted by Michael Bradfield and Maurice Girard, lasted 1-hour and 24-minutes, reaching a max altitude of 13,500 feet with a max speed of 308 knots.
Textron says the Ascend builds on this heritage by integrating customer feedback into its design, resulting in enhancements to cabin comfort, operational performance and onboard technology.
“Today is a big celebration and thank you to everyone who has been a part of building up to this point. It is your craftsmanship that continues to make milestones like this possible,” said Todd McKee, senior vice president of Integrated Supply Chain.
“By infusing new technology and bringing new features to the market, we continue to drive the future for us to build these legendary aircraft.”
Citation Ascend cabin and passenger experience
One of the most visible upgrades is the introduction of a flat-floor cabin, a feature previously found on larger models such as the Citation Latitude and Longitude.
This layout provides increased legroom and greater flexibility in configuring seating and storage.
The aircraft is designed for up to nine passengers, and has modern interior features including 19 standard USB charging points and three universal outlets.
Performance and systems upgrades for the Cessna business jet
Power comes from Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW545D engines, offering improved thrust and fuel efficiency compared with earlier models in the family.
The jet also incorporates Garmin’s G5000 avionics suite, equipped with the latest software and hardware, including full autothrottle capability.
Another notable feature is the Honeywell RE100 [XL] auxiliary power unit, certified for unattended operation, allowing for greater flexibility in ground operations.
The Ascend enters service at a time when demand for midsize jets continues to grow.
Textron positions the aircraft as a natural step for operators of earlier Citation models.
