Cessna Aircraft Company unveiled plans for its new large body, intercontinental business today at a conference in Washington. The craft, which enters the manufacturer’s storied Citation series, will be known as the Model 850 Citation Columbus.

The new jet takes its name from Christopher Columbus, and like the famous explorer, it will be quite the globe-trotter, comfortably transporting up to ten passengers 4,000 nautical miles at cruising speeds of Mach .80.

With a length of 77 feet, and a wingspan of 80 feet, the Columbus is Cessna’s largest business jet ever, but its all-aluminum air frame should keep the plane light and nimble. Powering the plane will be a pair of new Pratt and Whitney PW810 jet engines. Capable of producing 8,830 pounds of thrust, the engines are designed to be fuel efficient, low on emissions and quiet.

The cockpit will feature a state-of-the-art avionics systems from Rockwell Collins, highlighted by a triptych of high resolution, 15-inch LCD displays in place of the usual dash of dials and gauges. Coming in at 36.3 feet, the jet’s cabin will be the most spacious in its class.

The press conference comes after directors at Cessna’s parent company, Textron, approved final plans for the program on Jan. 23. After 2007 turned out to be a banner year for Cessna, and private jet manufacturers in general, Textron was optimistic about the jet. Last year Cessna manufactured 1,217 planes and generated $5 billion in revenue. Cessna has laid out $780 million to develop the Citation Columbus, which it will price competitively at $27 million.

With the large-size Citation Columbus, Cessna will find itself up against some venerable competition, like the Dassault Falcon 2000 and Bombadier Challenger 605. But Cessna fans and eager fliers will have a wait ahead of them. Cessna hopes to receive FAA certification by 2013 and make its first deliveries the following year.