Pilot Report: Citation Ascend Is the Ultimate XLS | Aviation International News

Pilot Report: Citation Ascend Is the Ultimate XLS

A logical upgrade brings new avionics and a refreshed cabin to the classic jet

Textron Aviation Citation Ascend — A logical upgrade brings new avionics and a refreshed cabin to the classic XLS series. © Textron Aviation

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

May 19, 2026

A recent demonstration flight in Textron Aviation’s new Ascend midsize jet was interesting from a variety of perspectives. For one, this is a great example of an OEM pushing the envelope on upgrading a popular legacy product. It was also an excellent way to compare the state of the art in the aftermarket retrofit field to what an OEM committed to significant upgrades can accomplish.

The Ascend has the distinction of being the final modern Citation model to switch to Garmin avionics—not a surprise given strong aftermarket interest by owners switching to Garmin’s G5000 flight deck upgrade. And having flown an XLS with the G5000 upgrade, I found that flying the Ascend was a little like flying an old friend, albeit with much more than just a shiny coat of new paint. The changes to the Ascend are significant and should propel this jet to an even longer lifetime, well beyond the 1,000-plus family members delivered thus far.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel, XL, XLS, and Ascend

Textron Aviation

KlasJet Wins FAA Approval for U.S. ACMI Operations

Company targets seasonal peaks and capacity shortfalls

Boeing 737 from the rear, on the ground

Vertical Expands UK eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturing Site

Expanded facility at Cotswold Airport precedes final mass-production location

Vertical VX4 prototype being rolled into new hangar

Bye’s eFlyer 2 Electric Trainer Makes First Flight

Conforming prototype flew for about five minutes near Denver

eFlyer 2 in flight

Starfighters Space Sells Mach 2 Testing by the Sortie

Company says F-104 Starfighter jets offer a “wind tunnel in the sky”

Two Starfighters Space F-104s in flight

Australia Boosts Capability With Trio of ISR Platforms

Fleet now includes MQ-4C Triton, MC-55A Peregrine and the P-8A Poseidon

Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon and MC-55A Peregrine aircraft

Textron Aviation Marks Rollout of 500th Latitude

Aircraft entered service in 2015

Textron Aviation rollout of 500th Cessna Citation Latitude

Piaggio Marks Avanti’s Ruby Anniversary, 40+ Evo Sales

More than 270 Avanti variants have been delivered across four decades

Piaggio Aerospace Avanti Evo aircraft

F-35 Buy Approved As Saudis Struggle to Counter Houthi Threat

Trump administration says $24.3 billion deal will bolster Saudi Arabia's self-defense capability

Formation of three F-35As against clouds