client case
Cessna Citation XLS
Refined Vision, Proven Execution
click here for scope of work
click here for the gallery
use case
Charter operations
sales lead
AeroVisto
interior design
AeroVisto
cooperation
Rheinland Air Service
Design Direction: Refined and Darker
The Citation XLS represents a proven balance of performance and practicality in charter operations, combining performance with practical cabin dimensions. When an aircraft owner approached Elite Jet about refurbishing their XLS, the design brief was clear: create a darker, more refined cabin that evokes the warm sophistication of a cigar lounge.
This aesthetic direction guided all material selection and finish specifications. Dark blue leather was specified for all seating positions—six passenger seats, the double side-facing configuration, crew seats, and both lavatory and emergency seating. The leather’s rich tone would anchor the cabin’s color palette while providing the durability required for charter operations.
The wood refinishing process required precision. Each wooden element was sanded to prepare the surface, then tinted to achieve the darker tone specified by the owner. A high-gloss varnish was applied as the final step, formulated to match a specific sample. This custom approach gave the wood surfaces the exact appearance requested, creating a cohesive character that distinguished this interior from standard XLS cabins.
Carpeting added subtle visual depth with a two-tone design: a gray base with a charcoal center runner extending through the cabin. Lower sidewall dado panels were covered in Ultrasuede in a complementary gray tone, while metal components throughout were re-plated in pewter to coordinate with the darker palette. The design choices reflected an understanding of charter operations—materials that maintain their appearance under regular passenger use while creating an environment passengers associate with premium service.
Technical Execution
Working with Rheinland Air Service, the project scope encompassed comprehensive interior work. Rheinland Air Service served dual roles: maintenance organization and Part 21J design authority. This arrangement made practical sense—because the aircraft was already in their facility and engineering expertise was in-house, keeping design authority with Rheinland Air Service streamlined approvals and eliminated coordination delays between separate organizations.
During disassembly, existing damage was found on galley furniture and cabin dividers. Rather than overlooking these substrate issues, the team repaired them before refinishing to ensure the finished surfaces would be durable. All panels—windowliners, headliners, and valances—were deep cleaned with Optimum Clean in Schnaittach, while cockpit panels received separate deep cleaning.
The ceiling panels were in good condition and left untouched, allowing resources to focus on areas needing updates. The entry area required specific attention, including mirror replacement and new non-textile flooring on the aircraft stairs.
Active Project Management
The project required nine replacement seatbelts, which had to be procured as OEM components. AeroVisto coordinated directly with Cessna to manage the ordering process and delivery timeline, ensuring the components arrived on schedule.
This coordination exemplified the active project management approach applied throughout the refurbishment: identifying component requirements early, managing procurement timelines, and maintaining clear communication with all parties. For the aircraft owner and Elite Jet, this meant the project progressed smoothly, with materials arriving when needed.
Partnership as Foundation
Elite Jet’s relationship with AeroVisto began in 2016 with Cessna projects—XLS refurbishments and CJ cabin modifications that established working processes between the teams. Over nearly a decade, this relationship has evolved into a consistent pattern: when Elite Jet’s aircraft owners need interior work, Elite Jet recommends AeroVisto.
For this Citation XLS project, that established relationship translated into practical advantages. Our sales director, Julian Heinz, traveled to meet the aircraft owner to discuss material preferences and practical requirements. AeroVisto’s design team developed renderings based on these specifications, incorporating lessons from previous Elite Jet projects.
Because Elite Jet, Rheinland Air Service, and AeroVisto understood each other’s workflows, project planning focused on specifics—slot timing, material lead times, and coordination details—rather than establishing basic processes.
Continuity matters in practical ways. Elite Jet knows the quality standards to expect, the communication patterns during the project, and the problem-solving approach when unexpected issues arise. For a charter operator managing a diverse fleet that includes both Citation and Bombardier Global aircraft, having a trusted refurbishment partner who handles projects across different platforms creates operational value. The players at Elite Jet haven’t changed in ten years, creating the kind of continuity that translates directly into project efficiency.
Project Outcome
The refurbished Citation XLS interior meets the owner’s specifications. The dark blue leather and custom-tinted wood surfaces create the refined, sophisticated atmosphere requested. The two-tone carpeting adds visual depth, while pewter-toned metal accents and ultrasuede panels complete the cohesive design. The aircraft returned to charter service with an interior that meets both aesthetic and operational requirements.
Zdravko Marinkovic, CAMO Manager at Elite Jet, captured the project’s completion in his feedback: “I would like to thank you for great support this week. This is how you stand behind your work and product and try to correct maybe here and there small issues, which are normal and expected on such a complex project.”
His comment acknowledges what anyone experienced in aircraft refurbishment knows: complex projects involve adjustments and minor issues during final assembly. The distinction lies in how those normal challenges are handled. For Elite Jet, AeroVisto’s response reinforced why they continue recommending this partnership for their fleet requirements.
This Citation XLS project demonstrates what happens when established partners apply their collective experience to realize a specific design vision. The result is an aircraft ready for charter operations, with an interior that reflects the owner’s specifications, completed through processes refined over years of working together. For AeroVisto, projects like this represent the practical validation that matters most—repeat business built on reliable execution and consistent results.
Scope of work
- Complete reupholstery of six passenger seats with dark blue leather
- Double side-facing seat reupholstery with matching leather
- Lavatory and emergency seat leather covering
- Cockpit seat refurbishment with sheepskin and leather elements
- Comprehensive wood refinishing: sanding, custom tinting, and high-gloss varnish application
- Two-tone carpet replacement throughout cabin with charcoal center runner
- Cockpit machine-tufted carpet replacement
- Ultrasuede covering for dado panels throughout cabin
- Nine OEM Cessna seatbelt replacements
- Partial metal component re-plating in pewter finish
- Entry area mirror and non-textile flooring replacement on aircraft stairs
- Wood damage repair on galley furniture and cabin dividers
- Deep cleaning of windowliner, headliner, and valance panels
- Deep cleaning of cockpit panels
- Complete burn testing and certification compliance
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