Wichita announced that it received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval of the Citation Sovereign EPIC Flight Management System (FMS) Take-Off and Landing Database (TOLD) and Flight Planning database (ACDB) update incorporating improved second segment climb, en-route climb, and cruise performance provided by the Transitional winglet STC. The Transitional winglet STC increases the Citation Sovereign maximum take-off weight (MTOW) by 475 lbs to 30,775 lbs and the maximum zero fuel weight (MZFW) by 200 lbs to 21,000 lbs. The Citation Sovereign Transitional winglet STC was amended to permit operations at the higher MTOW and MZFW, and update the FMS databases to incorporate take-off and cruise performance provided by the Transitional winglet design. The Transitional winglet STC for the Citation Sovereign has been approved for the entire fleet.
The Sovereign Transitional winglet STC allows the aircraft to climb direct to FL450 at the 3 higher take-off weight, increases the speed of the aircraft by 35 KTAS at top FL450, and allows a step climb from FL450 to FL470 at a weight 3,000 lbs heavier than the “non-wingleted” Sovereign. Weight, altitude, and temperature (WAT) limit improvement provided by the Transitional winglet allows an 8° C or 2,000 lb improvement at departure elevations of 5,000 ft or higher. Sovereign MTOW field lengths are modestly increased by 20 ft - 40 ft, and second segment climb gradients are improved by .5 percent - .7 percent at the higher MTOW. The FMS update and Cesnav CPCalc and EOM fully incorporate these performance benefits.
“The Transitional winglet upgrade will provide Sovereign owners and operators with even greater operational flexibility. The Transitional winglets are a great high altitude compliment to the Sovereign’s outstanding short field performance.” said Bob Kiser, president and managing member of Winglet Technology, LLC.
The Citation Sovereign Transitional winglets allow higher maximum cruise speeds at altitude, greater range for a given payload throughout the operating envelope, and improved WAT limit performance. That translates into more flexibility when operating from high / hot airports and improved climb performance that leads to higher initial cruise altitudes. The Transitional winglets expand overall operational capability of the Citation Sovereign, including:
Increased speed at higher altitudes
· 35 kts faster at FL450 / ISA temp / 28,000 lb
Increased certified weights
· 475 lb Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) increase
· 200 lb Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW) increase
Reduced time to climb FL430 reduced from 23 to 21 min with 30,775 lb TOW
· FL450 reduced from 73 to 28 min at 30,775 lb MTOW
Higher initial flight levels
· Direct to FL450 in 28 min at 30,775 lb MTOW
· Direct to FL470 in 32 min at 29,100 lb TOW
Increased range capability
· Up to 225 NM for 1,390 lb or less payload, NBAA reserve
· Up to 340 NM for 1,780 lb or more payload, NBAA reserve
Increased payload capability
· Up to 380 lb payload increase for equivalent fuel load
· Up to 915 lb payload increase for equivalent range
The Transitional winglet STC increases the empty weight of the Sovereign by 95 lbs leaving a 380 lb useful payload increase. The Transitional Winglet upgrade increases the Sovereign wingspan from 63’ 4” to 69’ 6”.
