Textron Aviation president and CEO Scott Ernest announced on Monday that the company's largest airplane, the $26 million Longitude large cabin jet, was making good progress and is on track for its targeted certification in 2017.
That date that will presumably protect the company from the delays plaguing Dassault in the certification program for its larger and more expensive Falcon 5X, which will make use of the same Snecma Safran turbofans, engines that once a few bugs are worked out, will feature unparalleled efficiency.
At a price of $26 million, the Longitude will boast a range of 4,000 nm and a top speed of Mach .86, figures that will make it a strong competitor against the aging and more expensive Bombardier Challenger 605 and the Embraer Legacy 650.
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