The Cessna Citation II (PH-LAB) is one of the research aircraft operated by NLR (Netherlands Aerospace Centre) Flight Test operations. It offers opportunities to perform your flight test applications in a flexible and affordable way. Extensive modifications have turned this pressurised, twin-engined business jet into a versatile airborne research platform. For flight test purposes the aircraft features a separate electrical system dedicated to powering on-board test equipment, an additional stand-alone 3000 psi hydraulic system, provisions on fuselage for mounting an external pod, numerous facilities in cockpit and cabin for accommodating test equipment, an antenna box on top of the fuselage that can accommodate multiple antennas, underwing panels configured for antenna installation, a noseboom with alpha/beta vanes or five-hole probe, a fuselage fairing accommodating a forward facing optical glass and several metal plate inserts that can replace existing windows and can accommodate flight test equipment. Flight test topics performed by the Citation II range from aerodynamics, flight mechanics, zero-gravity, atmosphere, airborne remote sensing and flight test methods, to system tests, air traffic management, avionics, alternative fuel, flight inspection, flight validation and on-board class-room instruction for educational purposes.
The research aircraft operates in accordance with Part OPS. For the design, classification and approval of modifications, NLR holds an approval based on Part 21, while our maintenance organisation is Part 145 and Part-M approved.
