The Citation X is powered by two turbofan engines and is built by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. Even though the X model is based on the earlier Citation III, VI and VII models, the Citation X has significant differences, such as its wing design, electronic components and engines.
The Citation X concept was first presented in 1990 with several major improvements over other 650 eries, mainly the dramatic improvement in speed. This concept ultimately became the new 750 series for Cessna.
The Citation X development was announced at the National Business Aviation Association Convention in New Orleans in October of 1990, with the first prototype making its first flight 3 years later on December 21st, 1993. Its certification was delayed several times due to failures of the airframe and engines that did not meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements which caused the certification date to extend to late November, 1995. The efforts to increase the maximum take-off weight of the Citation X by about 800 pounds delayed certification again to April of 1996. These changes were aimed at permitting a full-fuel payload of 1,400 pounds with a total of 7 passengers, but Cessna had difficulty achieving a balance between reducing Citation X cabin noise and minimizing the extra weight of sound-dampening materials. The certification was finally achieved on June 3rd, 1996.
