- Updated: 28th Oct 2022
- Matt Harris
- Jet Price Guides
The Cessna Citation CJ3 Light Jet took the qualities of earlier aircraft in the Cessna Citation Jet family, and made them available in a larger, more powerful aircraft that is ideal for operators who demand a combination of greater range and speed.
The Citation CJ3 began deliveries in 2004 and was manufactured for over a decade, with the platform eventually being replaced by the upgraded Citation CJ3+. During that time, 416 CJ3s were built according to JETNET data, demonstrating its tremendous reception from the market.
A Cessna Citation CJ3 costs between $5.25m for a 2004 model and $6.75m for a 2015 model on the pre-owned market, according to Aircraft Bluebook data Autumn 2022. The exact price of an individual model could be higher or lower than the average for its model year, and tends to be determined by a number of factors, including time of the engines and airframe, the jet’s maintenance condition, and more.
The Cessna Citation CJ3 has been compared with the Hawker 400XP jet, another brand that today resides under the Textron Aviation umbrella. Similar to the Citation CJ3, the Hawker 400XP is a popular model on the pre-owned market, offering more cabin volume than its predecessors, but usually delivers a configuration of eight passengers plus crew, while offering a range of 1,520nm.
The Cessna Citation CJ3 stands out because it brought a range of new features to the CitationJet family, most notably its advanced avionics, extra range, and its dual-channel, FADEC-controlled Williams engines.
The Cessna Citation CJ3+ offers a number of upgrades over the CJ3, including all-new interiors, complete with a redesigned cabin and cockpit, along with new diagnostics and pressurisation systems. Moreover, the CJ3+ includes a Garmin G3000 avionics suite, while the addition of ADS-B capability ensures it complies with today’s air traffic control requirements. Most strikingly, the Citation CJ3+ has an increased range of up to 2,070nm.
Cessna Citation CJ3 Jet Overview
By Gerrard Cowan - Editor, Aircraft Reviews
Today, the aircraft continues to find buyers on the pre-owned market, with orders placed by a variety of customers across many different sectors.
The 1,890nm-range, FJ44-3A powered Cessna Citation CJ3 offers over two feet of additional cabin length over the CJ2, and comes standard with six club seats in a center-style configuration. Designed for single-pilot ops, the flight deck incorporates a modern avionics suite, while a cabin baggage compartment is accessible in flight.
What features does the Cessna Citation CJ3 offer?
The Citation CJ3 can travel up to 1,890nm (flying single-pilot), or about 1,665nm with two pilots, full fuel, four passengers, and their baggage. The jet is powered by two Williams International FJ44-3A engines, and has over two feet of extra cabin length when compared with the smaller Citation CJ2 jet.
Offering a standard six-passenger seats, the Cessna Citation CJ3 also has a maximum cruise speed of 417 knots at 33,000ft altitude. Standard avionics include a Collins FMS-3000 suite, digital comm and nav radios, and much more.
What came before and after the Cessna Citation CJ3?
The Citation CJ3 followed the Citation CJ2, which was produced in the early 2000s. The Citation CJ2 features Williams FJ44-2C engines and offers a range of about 1,500nm with four passengers. So, in addition to its longer cabin, the Citation CJ3 offers more range.
After more than a decade in production, the Citation CJ3 was further enhanced with the launch of the Cessna Citation CJ3+, which replaced and remained in production at Textron Aviation at the time of writing.
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