Clifford Development Appoints Stevens Aviation As Service Center for Citation 550/S550 Engine Retrofits

PORTAGE, MI – Clifford Development announced the appointment of Stevens Aviation as an authorized installation center for the company’s certified installations of Williams FJ44-3A engines on the Cessna Citation 550 and the S550.

"We are very pleased to add the many services that Stevens Aviation has to offer," said Jim Clifford, chief executive officer of Clifford Development. "The company’s technical expertise, corporate jet maintenance experience and tradition of customer care will be important to our mutual customers. In addition, Stevens Aviation can provide virtually any airframe, interior or avionics service that our customers might require."

Clifford Development has certified 35 improvements as part of a recently issued STC, including: an Ametek digital engine display, heavy duty BFG brakes, and a dual FADEC system certified to July 2007 standards. The Williams FJ44-3A engines are thermodynamically rated at 3000 pounds (with takeoff flat-rated thrust of 2820 pounds) versus the original engine’s 2500 pounds rating. With this modification, the typical Citation 550/S550’s basic operating weight is reduced 250 pounds.

"Our customers have expressed a strong interest in this product," stated Jim Williams, vice president of Stevens Aviation. "Our research indicates this product meets the demanding expectations of our customers."

Based on the Pilots Operating Handbook Supplement, the re-engined 550 has a 22-minute time-to-climb to FL430 versus the current one hour and 37-minute step-climb profile, an 18 percent increase in max cruise speed and a 59 percent increase in NBAA range with four passengers. The modified Citation II’s range is 2192 nautical miles.

The re-engined Citation S550 has a four-passenger NBAA range of 2533 nautical miles – a 55 percent increase. It also has a 17 percent increase in long range cruise speed with a 34 percent reduction in fuel cost per seat mile.

Stevens Aviation becomes the fourth Clifford Development Service Center. Stevens will provide installations at their Greenville, SC (GYH), location and will provide additional product support at its Denver (BJC) and Dayton, Ohio (DAY), locations.