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on the Cessna Citation CJ3
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The CJ3 is another of Cessna’s Model 525B CitationJet family, a stretch of the CJ2 light business jet. The extra length allows for seven windows on each side and an expanded cabin with increased wing span.
Unveiled at the 2002 NBAA, the first flight of the prototype took place on 17 April, 2003 and that of the first pre-production aircraft on 11 August, 2003. It made its public debut at NBAA in October 2003 and the second pre-production aircraft made its first flight on 6 November, 2003. Overall around 900 hours were completed during 540 sorties across the three test aircraft, during which time the static test article had completed more than 200 test conditions, including 105,000 hours, equivalent to five life cycles, of landing gear testing.
The roll out ceremony took place on 13 February, 2004. It was FAA type certified in October 2004 and deliveries began in the December. EASA certification followed on 16 June, 2005.
The cockpit is designed for single pilot operation but can accommodate two crew members. The cabin can accommodate up to eight people and is air conditioned, heated and pressurised. There is an in-flight accessible baggage compartment with external baggage access, and two more holds in the nose and tailcone.
The CJ3 is powered by two FADEC-controlled Williams FJ44-3A turbofans, each rated at 12.37kN and providing nearly 15 per cent additional take off thrust compared to the CJ2. It can cruise at Mach 0.737 for a distance of more than 1,900 nm, exceeding Textron’s predictions at the time. Engine certification was achieved on 31 July, 2004.
The CitationJet CJ3+ programme was launched on 20 March, 2014. Production commenced from number 451 on 28 May, and the first production-conforming CJ3+ flew on 28 July. The FAA approved certification in September of the same year, with EASA and ANAC doing so in May, 2015.
The CJ3+ has seating for up to nine passengers plus a belted lavatory, with 1,000 pounds of baggage capacity. The wing has a computer-sculpted airfoil that produces more lift with less drag.
October 2023 saw the unveiling of the next model in this family, the Citation CJ3 Gen2; Textron debuted a mock up at NBAA-BACE. Currently under development, the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025 and will be able to operate on sustainable aviation fuel.
Enhancements begin in the slightly larger cockpit, where the aircraft was designed to feel as good to the pilot as it does to the passenger. Its Garmin G3000 software and hardware includes Autothrottles, Optional Enhanced Vision System, an intuitive touch screen interface and GDL60 for aircraft connectivity, including remote transmission of flight plans, automatic database updates and wireless transmission of aircraft diagnostic data.
The Citation CJ3 Gen2 offers standard seating for 10 passengers, a maximum range of 2,040nm and a maximum payload of 2,135lbs. In the cabin there is a new entryway step design and assist handle, along with enhanced lighting and a fully customisable interior with USB-C power at every seat as well as wireless charging. There are CoolView skylights in the externally serviceable lavatory to the rear.
The Gen3 variant was announced at NBAA-BACE in October 2024.
Stretched variant of CJ2. Includes CJ3+, CJ3 Gen2 and Gen3
| World fleet | Charter fleet | Typical pax | Cabin volume | Cruise | Range | Years | |
| CJ3 | 409 | 131 | 7 | 316 cu ft | 404 kts | 1,385 nm | 2003 - 2014 |
| CJ3+ | 283 | 47 | 9 | 299 cu ft | 352 kts | 1,080 nm | 2014 - current |
Browse or search through all recent STCs.
| 25/07/2024 | EASA: 10084276. Collins Iridium Certus satcom installation.
CJ/CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, CJ4, CJ1+, CJ2+, CJ3+, CJ4 GEN2 STC holder: Q.C.M. design See also: Collins Aerospace |
| 03/08/2023 | EASA: 10082544. Installation of S/W 6.72. Update for Single Garmin GTN 725 /GTN 750 or alternatively installation of Single Garmin GTN 725(Xi) / GTN 750(Xi) unit and optional Garmin Flight Stream FS 510.
CJ/CJ1, CJ2, CJ3 STC holder: Avionik Straubing See also: Garmin International |
| 15/03/2023 | EASA: 10081491. Mechanical installation of Garmin GA35 GPS antenna.
CJ3, CJ3+ STC holder: Avionik Straubing STC holder: Garmin International |
| October 21, 2024 | Textron takes the wraps off third generation Citations |
| October 7, 2024 | AirSprint adds CJ3+ and places as top growing business |
| October 3, 2024 | Gogo secures 25 STC contracts for Galileo HDX |
| September 30, 2024 | Latitude 33 moves into holiday season buoyed by growth |
| August 30, 2024 | Skyservice develops extensive 5G STC portfolio |
| August 30, 2024 | Jackson unveils flexible co-ownership initiative |
| August 25, 2024 | Jetnexa invests in an attractive factory-new CJ3+ |
| June 17, 2024 | flyExclusive launches residual value guarantee |
| April 3, 2024 | Gogo and Atlas team up for Galileo antenna on light jets |
| January 31, 2024 | Valair adds maintenance and charter to Cascais operations |
| January 3, 2024 | AirSprint ups fleet numbers plus fractional owner count |
| October 27, 2023 | Hahn Air takes first Citation CJ3 Gen2 for Europe |
| October 18, 2023 | AirSprint goes gaga for Gogo 5G |
| October 17, 2023 | flyExclusive becomes fleet launch customer for CJ3 Gen2 |
| October 16, 2023 | SmartSky customer praises connected experience in the sky |
| October 16, 2023 | Avionics, comfort and even pilot legroom - the CJ3 Gen2 steps up |
| October 6, 2023 | flyExclusive takes delivery of new Citation CJ3+ trio |
| September 19, 2023 | Textron expands Wichita interior manufacturing facility |
| June 19, 2023 | Fleet growth positions AirSprint to meet Canada’s needs |
| May 19, 2023 | Textron increases training options for Citation owners |
| April 24, 2023 | SmartSky expects up to seven STCs this quarter |
| April 11, 2023 | flyExclusive offers incentives to attract fractional owners |
| March 10, 2023 | Axis turns to CJ3 for range and comfort |
| March 5, 2023 | Ambitious Jung Sky sets in-house maintenance targets |
| December 7, 2022 | Quarter sees 40 per cent increase in SpeedBird fleet |
| September 4, 2022 | Citation CJ3+ delivery is tenth for AirSprint |
| August 16, 2022 | Wheels Up offers hiring partnership to ATP |
| April 17, 2022 | flyExclusive ramps up CJ3+ numbers for fractional impact |
| March 28, 2022 | JMI awarded ASC on Williams engines for CJ series |
| January 29, 2022 | Tamarack adds ASG to authorised service centre network |
| December 16, 2021 | PWI receives FAA PMA certification for LED ice light |
| October 13, 2021 | AirSprint inks deal to add three CJ3+ to fractional fleet |
| August 31, 2021 | Tamarack emerges largely unscathed from Chapter 11 |
| July 23, 2021 | ACI Jet joins authorised network of Tamarack |
| July 11, 2021 | Tamarack teams with FAA for winglet proficiency course |
| July 4, 2021 | CJ3+ ready to do the business for E-Aviation |
| May 31, 2021 | Magellan adds light and heavy options to card programme |
| April 6, 2021 | North American customer takes delivery of 600th CJ3 |
| March 9, 2021 | CJ3s tick all the boxes for Portuguese operator |
| March 1, 2021 | GAMA's annual report reveals which types are on top |
| February 14, 2021 | Air Charter Scotland joins the ‘efficient’ Malta jurisdiction |
| February 8, 2021 | CJ3s continue to fly the flag for Scottsdale's Alante |
| November 2, 2020 | Textron improves repair process for CJ landing gear |
| October 25, 2020 | Four jets come onboard the Clay Lacy roster |
| September 8, 2020 | Textron aircraft owners can take advantage of SAF |
| June 21, 2020 | Seven customers take up Tamarack installation offer |
| April 3, 2020 | Tamarack waives installation fee until end of June |
| December 10, 2019 | Tamarack expands winglet support network |
| November 17, 2019 | Chairman inks the deal on Citation CJ3+ purchase |
| September 23, 2019 | Western gets its wish for Williams work |
| September 21, 2019 | Textron marks a half century of Citation innovation |
| September 17, 2019 | Stuttgarter Flugdienst comes off the map as Atlas takes over |
| July 16, 2019 | Philadelphia-based CJ3 joints the Priester ranks |
| July 14, 2019 | Specified mods lift restrictions on Tamarack winglets |
| June 18, 2019 | Tamarack files chapter 11 as winglet upgrades continue |
| May 24, 2019 | EASA approves Fusion retrofit for the CJ3 |
| April 8, 2019 | Tamarack turns to Guernsey for Active Winglet installations |
| January 15, 2019 | Tamarack winglets touch down in Brazil |
| November 16, 2018 | Desert Jet brings in third CJ3 to light jet fleet |
| October 13, 2018 | Citation active winglets are now available from Bromma |
| August 7, 2018 | Signature TechnicAir approved for Tamarack winglets |
| June 7, 2018 | Ortac is first to receive 2-REG approval in Jersey and bolsters Textron fleet |
| February 7, 2018 | Atlas and FTI receive Citation ADS-B Out authorisation |
| August 2, 2016 | Me & my aircraft – Citation CJ series: Robust and trusty CJs are operators’ go-to aircraft in Europe and beyond |
| August 4, 2015 | Capital Air Charter steps up to jets with CJ3 |
| July 16, 2015 | CJ3 simulator arrives at Star Wings |
| May 28, 2015 | CJ3+ attains EASA go-ahead |
| July 3, 2014 | CJ3 specialist Starwings expands charter and training capacity |
| May 7, 2014 | EBACE 2014: Meet the buyers – weighing up factory-new safeguards against the pre-owned economics |
| February 6, 2014 | CJ3 leads the way for Valair while Phenom courts lucrative central European market |
| June 11, 2013 | Expanding ACS passes safety audit |
| Textron Aviation to display industry-leading aircraft at LABACE | 02/08/2024 |
