Cessna Delivers First Citation CJ3

While they were gearing up to open their new maintenance facility, the men and women at Cessna took a break on Dec. 1 to deliver the company’s first Citation CJ3. In presenting the keys to the first CJ3, Cessna marked the third new Citation model to enter service in 2004; earlier this year Cessna certified and delivered the first Citation XLS and Citation Sovereign. “The CJ3 is an excellent addition to the family of CitationJets,” stated Cessna’s president and CEO Jack Pelton. The CJ3’s delivery comes just two years after the program was announced at the 2002 NBAA Convention. Cessna has received over 130 non-refundable CJ3 orders worth over $800 million. The Citation CJ3, model 525B, received its FAA Type Certificate on Oct. 15, 2004. The aircraft features new Williams International FJ44-3A engines, an advanced fully integrated Collins avionics system, and is certified for single-pilot operation. It has a maximum cruise speed of 417 knots at 33,000 feet. The jet’s service ceiling is 45,000 feet and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 13,870 lbs.