Textron Aviation Delivers First Citation CJ3 Gen2 Light Jet
Textron Aviation has delivered the first Citation Jet 3 Gen2, marking a key milestone for the latest evolution of its light-jet family. The delivery comes roughly three months after certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in October, underscoring a smooth transition from approval to entry into service.
The aircraft, registered N800DM (msn 525B-0902), was ferried on January 8 from Textron Aviation’s production facilities at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Scottsdale Airport. The launch customers are longtime Citation owners Dave Mecartney—a member of Textron Aviation’s Customer Advisory Board—and Shannon Day, highlighting strong repeat-customer demand for the Citation brand.
The CJ3 Gen2 represents the newest refinement of the Citation Jet 3 platform, a programme that has recorded more than 700 deliveries since 2005 across the CJ3 and CJ3+ variants. Textron Aviation has positioned the Gen2 as a capability-focused update rather than a clean-sheet redesign, targeting owner-operators and fleet customers seeking modernised avionics and improved cabin functionality without sacrificing the operating economics that have made the CJ3 a staple of the light-jet segment.
Key enhancements include an updated avionics suite with autothrottles, bringing features more commonly associated with larger jets into the light-jet category. The cockpit has also been reworked to provide additional legroom, improving comfort on longer sectors and aligning with feedback from pilots who fly frequent missions.
In the cabin, the CJ3 Gen2 offers seating for up to ten passengers, increasing flexibility for corporate and charter operations. An externally serviceable lavatory further improves usability and turnaround efficiency, a practical upgrade for operators focused on dispatch reliability and passenger comfort.
Textron Aviation has emphasised that the Gen2 upgrades were guided by extensive customer input, reflecting its strategy of incremental innovation across the Citation lineup. By layering new technology and comfort features onto a proven airframe, the manufacturer aims to extend the CJ3’s appeal amid rising competition in the light-jet market.
With the first delivery now complete, additional CJ3 Gen2 aircraft are expected to enter service throughout 2026. The milestone reinforces Textron Aviation’s position in the light-jet segment and signals continued demand for versatile, owner-friendly aircraft that balance performance, comfort, and operating efficiency.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com