Aviation Turkey: Duncan, let's discuss the flagship of Textron Aviation, the Cessna Citation Longitude jet, which is currently on display at Geneva Airport. Who is the target customer for this type of private jet? How does the Cessna Citation Longitude distinguish itself from competing private and business jets? 

Duncan Van De Velde: That's a good question. The key features of the Longitude are its range capability of 3,500 nautical miles in combination with true customer comfort. The aircraft is equipped with flat floors and fully berthable seating. There are also ample bathroom facilities, putting the comfort of passengers, particularly on longer journeys, at the forefront. And if you need to get something out of your luggage, for example, the cargo area is always accessible during flight. The Longitude really prioritizes its passengers, by hosting a design focused on comfort and usability. Not that long ago, I was flying from Wichita to Orlando. For me, I work when traveling and like to use the time productively. I really value the ability to use the Longitude as, essentially, an office in the sky. With the cabin engineered to provide a quiet environment, I can hold meetings at high altitudes, and really focus on my tasks. 

At times it still surprises me how quiet the cabin is at cruise level. I personally think that’s one of the stand-out features of the aircraft.  We also made sure that the cabin altitude is low, especially for those doing long-haul flights—passengers will arrive fully refreshed. The seats can also easily be converted into flat beds, making the aircraft interior truly adaptable to the needs of the passengers.  

That is what the Longitude really represents - it's a time-saver and a state-of-the-art aircraft. The aircraft is also a great flying experience for pilots. Equipped with the Garmin G5000 system, pilots find the avionics of the aircraft intuitive and reliable. You can adjust the screens in the way that you want, allowing them to have the system in a position that feels comfortable. It's a joy to fly with, for the crew and pilots, as well as the passengers. The full-size galley includes a coffee or Nespresso machine, and everything in there that you wish, as well as the ability to close the doors for full privacy when holding confidential meetings. 

The Longitude is our flagship aircraft and it’s very popular. I'm also very pleased that the aircraft we are showcasing is from a happy and proud owner who also has it on the charter market. He uses it for his trips to the U.S., as well as trips within and over the U.S. He just loves it, and testimonials like that from our customers are really valuable for us. 

 Aviation Turkey: What is the maximum passenger capacity of the Cessna Citation Longitude? 

Duncan Van De Velde: Our aircraft's maximum seating capacity is designed to accommodate up to 12 passengers. However, the current configuration is set up for eight passengers and includes a hostess. Additionally, there's an option to include a couch, which can provide space for one more passenger. The adaptable layout allows passengers to tailor the space to their preferences, as we can adjust the aircraft to meet specific customer requirements. 

Aviation Turkey: How many Cessna Citation Longitude jets are currently in operation? 

Duncan Van De Velde: We celebrated the rollout of our 100th Longitude from our production line last year. For more detailed information, you can view GAMA numbers. 

 Aviation Turkey: There is one in Türkiye as well. (in May 2022, Textron Aviation received an order from TUSAŞ for one special mission Cessna Citation Longitude and two special mission Latitude jets. Delivered in 2023 and fitted with special flight inspection calibration equipment these three jets are operated by the DHMI) 

Duncan Van De Velde: Yes, and last year we shared an announcement on IFM (in May 2023, Textron Aviation welcomed IFM Traviation GmbH as its latest Cessna Citation Longitude customer in Europe), a very loyal Cessna customer who signed up for a Longitude for their operation.  

Aviation Turkey: Today marks the celebration of the 400th manufactured Cessna Citation Latitude. Could you share some insights into this aircraft's performance and technological capabilities? Given that the Citation Latitude is the best-selling mid-size business jet, what sets it apart? 

Duncan Van De Velde:  There is a strong demand for the Latitude. Both the Latitude and Longitude, coming from the same family and having the flat floor design, make them very comparable. The difference is that the Longitude has a range of 3,500 nautical miles, and the Latitude has 2,700 nautical miles. 

The Latitude is operated by BHS, based out of Zurich, who received the aircraft a year and a half ago. They prioritize aircraft that are reliable and perform to a high standard. The Latitudes have never let them down, and the great support network of service centers that we provide in and across Europe highlight this consistent reliability. We have service centers in Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Paris, Valencia, but also in Prague, and in Zurich. 

Also, in comparison with other models in that class, particularly if you're running a commercial operation, the Latitude is cost efficient and capable of holding a lot of cargo and luggage, whilst offering freedom and space within the aircraft. Top this with reliability, flat floors, and world-class performance, and you tick a lot of boxes. 

Aviation Turkey: What is the maximum range of the Cessna Citation Latitude? For instance, can it fly non-stop from London or Paris to destinations in Asia? 

Duncan Van De Velde: The Cessna Citation Latitude has a maximum range of nearly 2,850 nautical miles. To give you an idea of its capabilities, it can fly non-stop from Paris, France to Ankara, Turkey. 

Aviation Turkey: Okay, that's fantastic. Given the popularity of the Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 among new business aviation users, what specific features or advantages does it offer that make it such an attractive entry-level jet? 

Duncan Van De Velde:  We've carefully considered our product lineup. As you're aware, we produce the most extensive range in the industry, and we've chosen to highlight the Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 as our entry-level jet. 

The M2 Gen2 is very popular with people who are new to business aviation, particularly with those who are considering shifting from a turboprop or piston aircraft, or for people who have been flying for a few years on a single engine turboprop, looking to experience a jet. The M2 Gen2 is the perfect aircraft to enter that market and has been a popular choice among commercial operators because of its range of 1,500 nautical miles, making it an obvious choice to showcase. 

It's a very comfortable aircraft, with capacity for six seats, and a really good entry level model for European customers looking to travel within the continent.  

We did not bring the Citation CJ3+ to EBACE this year, but for good reason. Last year at NBAA, we announced the new CJ3 Gen2 aircraft, produced directly from customer feedback. The CJ3 Gen2 aircraft with state-of-the-art interiors, extra legroom for pilots and small details such as wireless ports to self-charge phones, and an externally serviceable lav, will be a great flying experience for both pilots and passengers.  

We also have the Citation CJ4 Gen2. Just last month, Luxaviation took delivery of their fifth CJ4 – expanding their fleet. With competitive operating costs, Luxaviation decided to go for the CJ4 Gen 2 because of its proven reliability and our extensive global support network. For operating in Europe, it's important not only to have an aircraft like this, but also to have that support. They can rely on the service center in Paris and in Dusseldorf to run their commercial operation if there's an issue. The aircraft itself also offers great capability, range, performance, and again, comes with that support. 

Aviation Turkey: Textron Aviation's Beechcraft and Cessna brands are world-renowned for their comprehensive global service network and you are more than well known for aftersales services! How do you assess your after sales services? 

Duncan Van De Velde: Our global service network is one of the reasons why I decided to work with Textron Aviation. I come from a different background. I used to be a customer for Textron Aviation and other OEMs. From my background, I have a lot of experience around aircraft management. I was managing aircraft on behalf of aircraft owners for various models. What we have with Textron Aviation is very unique. The company’s global presence all started with a service center in Paris, which has been there since 1997 and it’s been very successful. But then we realized that customers would like to see more than just one service center from Cessna, and they would like to see more Textron-owned service centers. We then looked at Dusseldorf and other locations, ensuring our customers have the best global experience. The company now has nine service centers around the world in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. 

Once we deliver an aircraft, it doesn’t end there, as we continue to support customers throughout the life of their aircraft. That's where we make a difference. Our extensive support network provides on-call support no matter where our customers are. In areas without the same level of coverage, we look for local representation that we can rely on. So, in this case, EMAIR in Türkiye, who do an invaluable job. 

Aviation Turkey: How many years? He told me 60 years or something like that? 

Duncan Van De Velde: We’ve been working with EMAIR for 57 years. That kind of partnership highlights not only the exceptional work from Mr. Haydar Gürsan in establishing a company as impressive as EMAIR, but also that our company prides itself on these long-standing relationships, built on reliability and trust. EMAIR provide us with a local solution for the Turkish market, and they do an amazing job, with access to our engineering data, and our engineers, if need be. It's a very close cooperation that I'm very proud of. We have a very robust Textron network, and where needed, EMAIR supports us. This formula is a driving force behind what makes our company unique.  

 Aviation Turkey: How many countries do you have services or corporations? 

Duncan Van De Velde: We operate 20 service centers worldwide, complemented by mobile service units and dedicated field service representatives who can be dispatched to meet our customers' needs. This global footprint is bolstered by strong relationships with various companies worldwide, enabling us to uphold our commitments to our customers. These partnerships ensure that we can provide swift, reliable support and keep our customers' operations running smoothly, no matter where they are. 

 Aviation Turkey: Given the current global supply chain challenges, how has Textron been impacted, and what strategies are in place to mitigate these issues? 

Duncan Van De Velde: The supply chain is better, but not healed, and while we still face some challenges, we continue to work to overcome those. To address this, we continue to collaborate closely with suppliers, even dispatching our employees to assist them where needed. We've proactively visited more than 600 suppliers in the past couple of years.  

Aviation Turkey: How do you see the market developing over the short to medium term from the point of view of Textron Aviation’s products? What kind of new products and services do you see a demand for in the coming years? What is the future of business aviation for Textron Aviation aircraft? 

Duncan Van De Velde:  When looking at the market globally, Textron Aviation is doing really well. In Europe, there is a huge demand, and Textron Aviation has the broadest lineup of aircraft from the Cessna 172 Skyhawk to the Citation Longitude, and everything in between. We have aircraft for a wide range of budgets, as well as every mission requirement. Whether you want to do short flights from A to B, medical flights, border patrol, long haul flights or even cargo, there are aircraft for every mission. Our aircraft transport people, provide an office in the sky and save lives – this broad scope of aircraft we offer helps us maintain a healthy order flow.  

In Europe, there is a huge demand for the entry model Citation M2 Gen2 and the CJ4 Gen2. There has also been huge success for the Latitude, people want to see it, experience it and learn more.  

Our Citation Ascend, which we announced last year here at EBACE, was also the result of customer feedback. We truly take our customers’ requests on board, and we view this as a key factor in making us the most successful OEM in the midsize category for eight consecutive years. The Citation 560XL – an extremely popular aircraft , is the predecessor of the Citation Ascend. Now offering a flat floor, larger windows, swivel-motion chairs, and much more, the Citation Ascend incorporates everything our customers look for. I feel very privileged and happy with how we are doing here in Europe. 

Aviation Turkey: What can you tell us about your R&D activities? There is a lot of talk about reducing fuel consumption and the low noise impact of jets: What are your current studies on reducing fuel consumption? Along with this, can you also talk about your SAF sustainability activities? What is the goal for Textron Aviation in sustainable aviation? 

Duncan Van De Velde: Having been in the business for nearly 100 years, innovation has always been our main driver in everything we do. Every product we release is an upgrade on the precursor, as we continually look to the future of the business aviation industry. We're deeply committed to minimizing our environmental impact, with a significant focus on reducing carbon emissions throughout our operations. All of our Kansas based facilities are powered by renewable wind energy, and we have a robust recycling program that includes scrap metal and composite materials discarded during the manufacturing process. Our recycling program lessens the burden on the need for the consumption of new natural resources. Additionally, landing gear, avionics, and electronics can be recycled and repurposed. Even our service centers are actively working to be more sustainable, implementing practices such as recycling waste oil and filters, utilizing energy-efficient lighting, and adopting paperless processes. 

In 2022, Textron Inc. acquired Pipistrel which now sits under Textron eAviation, and Pipistrel has the world’s first and only fully electric certified powered aircraft. Through these developments, we get a lot of insight into innovation and technology. It is valuable information that will help us continue innovating consciously.  

We have a commitment as an industry to be carbon neutral in 2050, and our company is dedicated to meeting that commitment.  

Aviation Turkey: Okay, the last question, of course, how do you see the Turkish business aviation markets? As far as I know, you are the leader. What can you share about your activities through EMAIR and after sales and MRO services in Türkiye? 

Duncan Van De Velde: We see the CJ4 Gen2 in particular as being well-received by the Turkish market, along with the Latitude and Longitude. If you look at our product portfolio, there is an aircraft for every customer in Türkiye. Whether it’s a Principal flying from the North to South, or a CEO flying with board members to London for business, we have a solution there. The Turkish market is so important for us, and that’s why I’m also happy to have Selim and Cüneyt there, as they know first-hand what the Turkish market looks for in an aircraft. This could be their knowledge of desires in terms of support and how to be there when customers need them to be, as well as being able to communicate with customers in Turkish. This local representation is so important and helps us to stay well connected with our Turkish customer base