FLYING Magazine
Textron Aviation on Tuesday announced that owners and operators of the original CitationJet can now install an all-Garmin avionics suite, available for serial numbers 525-0001 through 0359 following FAA supplemental type certification (STC).
The retrofit, which can be completed through Textron Aviation’s service network, gives owners and operators access to cockpit technology available on the CJ1 and CJ2. The upgrades will replace fragmented legacy systems and are designed to reduce pilot workload and add new safety-enhancing technologies.
The all-glass cockpit features two G600 TXi flight displays with a touchscreen interface with advanced multi-function display (MFD) and primary flight display (PFD) capabilities. Primary flight data is displayed on Garmin synthetic vision technology for awareness in IFR, marginal VFR, or nighttime conditions and offers a map view showing weather, traffic, airport diagrams, and more, without requiring a full MFD window.
It also includes the GI 275 standby flight instrument on the pilot side, with an option for an additional instrument on the copilot side, that integrates with the PFDs to sync heading, altimeter, airspeed, and altitude selections.
The flight deck also upgrades to the TXi engine indication system (EIS). Its display includes integrated timers and N1 reference bugs that are computed automatically.
Other features include GTN 750Xi touchscreen FMS/NAV/COMM flight navigators and GFC 600 digital autopilot, as well as stabilized approach monitoring, aural V-speed alerting during takeoff, and other situational awareness features specific to the CitationJet. FAA Data Comm will allow flight crews to communicate with air traffic control via text-based communications and receive departure clearances at over 60 airports, as well as enroute clearances, frequency changes, and more while flying above 16,000 feet in the U.S.
The combination of the GTN 750Xi—which has a 6.9-inch display and enables simplified IFR routings—and digital autopilot enables coupled descent vertical navigation (VNAV), allowing pilots to create and execute holding patterns.
The GFC 600 uses automation to assist with high-workload procedures such as coupled go-around while executing a missed approach. The solution also features an Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) that automatically descends the aircraft to a preset altitude without pilot intervention when loss of cabin pressurization is detected.
Optional upgrades include the GMA 35C audio panel, GTX 345R transponder, GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar, GSR 56 datalink, and GDL 60 datalink for Garmin’s PlaneSync connected aircraft management system.
PlaneSync automatically downloads avionics database updates and synchronizes them across the displays. Pilots can use the system to remotely check fuel quantity, database status, GPS location, and temperatures, and the system automatically transmits flight and engine log data to cloud storage after landing.
Textron’s three next-generation Citation light jets, the CJ4 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3, and M2 Gen3, come factory-equipped with Garmin Autothrottle and Emergency Autoland. Once the CJ3 Gen3 is certified, Gen2 owners will be able to install Emergency Autoland. All three models include Garmin’s G3000 avionics suite, with the CJ4 Gen3 upgrading to the next-generation G3000 PRIME system.
Textron has secured STCs for other CitationJet upgrades including Starlink WiFi. It announced Starlink’s availability for the Citation X and X+ in March 2025, for the Citation Longitude in October 2025, and for the Citation Ascend in April, all through STCs awarded to AeroMech. Starlink internet for the Hawker 700, 800, and 900 series was announced in September.