CESSNA'S CITATION MUSTANG MAY BE THE SMALLEST jet Cessna ever built, but it's a jet just the same, and it remains a popular step-up airplane. Its Garmin G1000 avionics suite will be familiar to anyone coming from recent-model high-performance piston singles. The airplane had a relatively small production run from 2006 to 2017, but in that time 479 Mustangs were built. All but six are currently flying.Those new to the Mustang will be surprised by its mix of performance and operational simplicity.Digital engine controls precisely set power for takeoff and climb; its control yokes run through the instrument panel, giving you plenty of leg-room; its Garmin autopilot is exemplary; and it has big-iron-style operational features like an engine fire extinguishing system, anti-skid braking (with the bonus feature that prevents you from touching down with brakes applied), certification for flight in known icing, and onboard weather radar plus SiriusXM datalink weather.The Mustang's twin Pratt & Whitney PW615F turbofans put out 1,460 pounds of thrust apiece. That permits an advertised 340 knots true airspeed (KTAS) maximum cruise speed-but flight plan for 320 KTAS to be on the safe side. Its maximum range is listed as 1,150 nautical miles, but you'll never realize this unless you fly at or near the airplane's maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet, have optimal conditions, no headwind, and a light passenger load. At that altitude, fuel burns are lowest. Fly any lower, and fill the cabin with four passengers, and you should count on a 700-nm range to be on the safe side. Need to slow down or go down? The Mustang's speed brakes and landing gear (which can be extended at up to 250 knots indicated airspeed) are a big help.
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