#231 TEXTRON visit during the Composites360onTour at AERO 2026 | Citation Ascend: Precision Use of Composites in Next-Gen Business Aviation Systems

At AERO 2026, the Composites360onTour format visits Textron
Aviation to explore the next evolution in business jet design:
the Cessna Citation Ascend. In this interview, Ilkay Özkisaoglu
and Norbert Werle (Jet Circle) speak with Jimmy Beese, VP Product
Development at Textron Aviation, covering both aircraft comfort
and performance as well as the engineering logic behind composite
materials.
On the aircraft side, the Citation Ascend is presented as a
refined evolution of the proven 560XL platform. The discussion
highlights key upgrades including the Garmin G5000 avionics
suite, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, and aerodynamic
refinements that extend range to approximately 1,940 nautical
miles.

The cabin has been redesigned with a flat-floor configuration,
larger windows, and improved seating concepts, offering enhanced
passenger comfort while maintaining operational efficiency.

The conversation then shifts into the engineering domain, where
the focus turns to composites and material selection. Rather than
presenting composites as a dominant solution, Jimmy Beese
outlines a targeted, application-driven approach:
• Composites are used in specific components and control
surfaces, both internally and externally
• Integration is driven by weight sensitivity and functional
requirements
• Aircraft design relies on a hybrid material architecture,
balancing metals and composites

A key insight from the interview is the shift away from
material-driven trends toward problem-oriented engineering
decisions. Composites are applied where they provide measurable
value—not as a default solution.

The discussion also provides perspective on product development
strategy, emphasizing a customer-first approach that translates
operational needs into engineering solutions.
This interview is particularly relevant for:
• Aerospace engineers and designers
• Composites and materials specialists
• Professionals in MRO, certification, and product
development

It offers a grounded view of how modern aircraft are
engineered—where comfort, performance, and material science
converge within real-world constraints.
 
About Composites360onTour

Exploring materials, structures, and engineering decisions across
aerospace and mobility. Real teams. Real technology. Real
innovation.


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