FLYING Magazine
All three of Textron Aviation’s next-generation Cessna Citation light jets are now in flight testing.
Textron said Wednesday that its first CJ3 Gen3 prototype aircraft recently made its debut test flight, joining the company’s other two forthcoming light jets, the M2 Gen3 and CJ4 Gen3.
“Comprehensive flight testing will now begin for this aircraft with rigorous validation of its performance as we continue to work toward FAA certification and entry into service,” Chris Hearne, senior vice president of engineering and programs for Textron Aviation, said in the company’s news release.
The manufacturer aims to certify the next-generation CJ3 and M2 for entry into service in 2027, with the CJ4 Gen3 expected to hit the market later this year.
Textron said test pilots Steve Helmer and Dave Welbrock flew the CJ3 Gen3 prototype out of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (KICT) near the company’s headquarters in Kansas, testing software functionality in the cockpit. It said the prototype reached a top altitude of 41,000 feet and speed of 278 knots indicated during the nearly two-hour sortie.
“From takeoff to landing, the aircraft demonstrated the handling qualities and system performance we expected,” said Helmer.
The debut flight follows similar milestones by other business jet manufacturers. Gulfstream took its first G300 super-midsize to the skies in late 2025, while Dassault followed in June with the first flight of its long-awaited, ultra-long-range Falcon 10X.
Citation’s Next Generation
Unlike previous models, all three next-generation Citation light jets come factory-equipped with Garmin Autothrottle and Emergency Autoland, which passed its first real-world test in 2025. They also include Textron’s Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) visibility system and Advanced 3D SafeTaxi displays. Once the CJ3 Gen3 is certified, Gen2 owners will be able to install Emergency Autoland.
The CJ3 family offers increased speed, range, and seating capacity versus the M2 family, with better fuel efficiency and runway flexibility than the larger and faster CJ4.
Like its predecessor, the CJ3 Gen3 will include Garmin’s G3000 avionics suite with optional Enhanced Vision System. It offers 4.5 inches of additional legroom for pilots versus the previous generation, as well as improved field performance.
The customizable CJ3 Gen3 cabin comes with features such as swivel seating, wireless charging, and natural lavatory lighting. It seats up to 10 passengers with capacity for 1,000 pounds of baggage.
The model has a listed maximum range of 2,040 nm, top cruise speed of 416 knots true airspeed, climb rate of 4,478 fpm, and takeoff field length of 3,180 feet. It is powered by twin Williams International FJ44-3A turbofan engines, with a maximum takeoff weight of 13,879 pounds.
“The Citation CJ3 Gen3 builds on everything customers value about the CJ3 family while incorporating technology they’ve asked for to make flying even more intuitive and confidence-inspiring,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president of global sales and marketing for Textron.
When it arrives, the CJ3 Gen3’s competitors in the light jet category will include the Embraer Phenom 300 and 300E, Pilatus PC-24, and HondaJet Elite II. Estimated to have a base price in the same range as the CJ3+ family is the HondaJet Echelon, which the manufacturer says will be capable of nonstop, transcontinental flight across the U.S. when certified.