Textron Aviation powers up Longitude’s electrical system

Textron Aviation has completed powering its new Cessna Citation Longitude’s electrical system, another milestone toward first flight of the super midsize business jet.

Textron Aviation CEO Scott Ernest said in a news release Monday that turning on the power allows workers to verify the jet’s electrical power system “and paves the way for functional tests and engine runs that will get us to first flight in the coming months.”

The company is expecting first flight of the Longitude this summer.

The $23.9 million business jet will be Cessna’s largest Citation, and is expected to enter service in 2017. It also will be the first Cessna aircraft to be manufactured alongside Beechcraft airplanes, at the company’s Plant IV near Central and Greenwich.

This story was originally published June 13, 2016 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Textron Aviation powers up Longitude’s electrical system."