Textron Aviation touts new Citations

Textron Aviation announced its newest business jet—the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2. Currently under development, the aircraft is expected to enter service in 2025 with a base price of $10.9 million. Textron displayed a Citation CJ3 Gen2 mock-up at the company’s static display at Henderson Executive Airport during the event.

“The Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 is our most comprehensive Gen2 product announcement yet, offering customers proven performance, leading edge technology and an unmatched cabin experience,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation.

Textron Aviation customers, pilots, and mechanics provided input for the CJ3 Gen2 design, and their suggestions were incorporated throughout the aircraft, the company noted in a press release. Among the notable upgrades is an additional 4.5 inches of pilot legroom. Pilots will also get the benefit of a Garmin G3000 avionics suite, including autothrottles.

The Citation CJ3 Gen2 will offer standard seating for 10 people, a maximum range of 2,040 nautical miles, and a maximum payload of 2,135 pounds.

The cabin can be arranged with fixed side-facing seats and include a refreshment center with expanded cabinet storage, or customers may opt for a folding side-facing seat to carry an additional passenger (or luggage). The newly designed seats have optional swivel functionality, USB-C power ports for each, and wireless charging.

The rear of the aircraft incorporates new CoolView skylights in the lavatory, which bring natural light into the space, as well as a new optional sink and vanity design with a dedicated water supply. For added convenience, the Citation CJ3 Gen2 includes an externally serviceable lavatory.

“Our talented team members at Textron Aviation have proven their commitment to designing and delivering new industry-leading products based on our customers’ feedback,” said Christi Tannahill, Textron Aviation senior vice president of customer experience. “We look forward to exceeding their expectations again with the new Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2.”

Textron also displayed a completely new Cessna Citation Ascend mock-up, including a fully sustainable interior, a new hard shell exterior with a custom paint scheme, and additional functionality within the cabin. Unveiled earlier this year, the Citation Ascend is designed to bring an entirely new cockpit, improved performance, and a more luxurious cabin to the midsize business jet market.

Textron Aviation predicts the Ascend will have a 1,900 nm range with four passengers at high-speed cruise power, extending to 2,100 nm at 441 knots. The jet is expected to be capable of a direct climb to 45,000 feet.

Customers will see many of the luxuries found in the Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude, including a flat floor. “The aircraft will offer a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engine designed to deliver fuel efficiency and increased thrust, as well as state-of-the-art Garmin G5000 avionics that feature the latest software and hardware, including autothrottle technology. The Ascend also features a Honeywell RE100 [XL] Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) approved for unattended operations,” Textron Aviation noted in a press release.

With 19 standard USB charging ports throughout the aircraft, all crew and passengers will have access to at least one charging port in the Citation Ascend, which also will offer wireless phone charging and three standard universal outlets. Standard seating for nine passengers can be expanded to a maximum of 12 passenger seats.

“We designed the Ascend to take the best from our legendary 560XL series and set a new standard in terms of comfort and performance,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation senior vice president of global sales and flight operations.