The title of fastest civilian aircraft in the world is an oft-discussed topic among pilots and aviation enthusiasts worldwide. While the two main contenders don’t really compete in cabin size, mission or range, the tug of war continues between Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation X and General Dynamic’s Gulfstream Aerospace G650. The current record holder was declared in the fall of 2013 In the fall of 2013, after a barrage of tests were conducted including more than 1,300 hours of flight time, the FAA confirmed the Citation X’s status as the world’s fastest civilian jet.
Ongoing competition
For at least the last six years, boasting about the world’s fastest business jet has vacillated between the Citation X and the Gulfstream G650. In September of 2012, the G650 received the distinction, but it did not maintain it for very long. There’s been fierce competition for the bragging rights that go along with achieving the speed record for private jets between Cessna and Gulfstream Aerospace that stretches back more than a decade.
Gulfstream’s accomplishments
Although Cessna may currently have the speed record distinction, it’s important to note that Gulfstream Aerospace consistently racks up numerous records for its jet models when the National Aeronautics Association tallies data regarding aircraft speed, distance, altitude, and more. In fact, Gulfstream Aerospace was recorded as having set more records in 2014 than any other airframe manufacturer.
Cessna’s victory
The Citation X achieved a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935. This makes the aircraft marginally faster than the G650, which has a maximum speed of Mach 0.925. Cessna was under quite a bit of pressure to beat the G650’s speed record after boasting that the G650’s 2012 victory would be short-lived. While Cessna may have succeeded with the speed record with the Citation X, it has failed to best the G650 in a variety of other areas.
The G650’s strengths
At 7,000 nautical miles, the G650’s range is significantly greater than that of the Citation X. The G650 set five records in 2014 according to the National Aeronautics Association. In its short history (the G650 went into production in 2008), the aircraft model has set a total of 42 different speed records, including an around-the-world record.
Features of the Citation X
The Citation X has a range of 3,242 nautical miles and features a Gamin G5000 avionics package. It can reach a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet. Considering its competition from the G650, Citation X designers shouldn’t get too comfortable in their speed record victory. Inevitably, Gulfstream Aerospace will be making efforts to reclaim the speed record in the coming years and the record-setting strengths of the G650 in other areas make the Citation X speed record certification a title that Cessna can’t afford to lose.
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