First Cessna Citation Latitudes Configured for Flight Inspection Delivered to Japan

Kanematsu Corporation has taken the delivery of the first two flight inspection-configured Cessna Citation Latitude aircraft to be operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

"Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron, Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, recently delivered the first two Cessna Citation Latitude aircraft  configured for flight inspection missions. The aircraft were delivered to Kanematsu Corporation and will be owned and operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to ensure the integrity of instrument approaches and airway procedures that constitute the national airspace of Japan," the company said in a statement on April 21.

A third aircraft is anticipated to deliver in early 2021.

Fitted with UNIFIS 3000 Flight Inspection System equipment from Norwegian Special Mission (NSM), the aircraft will provide flight inspection missions through the periodic evaluation of navigational aids, such as flight procedures and electronic signals, to ensure they are safe and accurate. The aircraft will be operated by the Flight Checker Squadron, a JASDF unit based at Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture north of Tokyo.

“Flight inspection has long been a vital part of providing a safe air transportation system making instrument flight possible and safeguarding passengers and aircrew. The Latitude’s long range, large cabin and class-leading performance ideally suits it for the flight inspection mission,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales for Textron Aviation.