By Dr. Omar Memon
The Citation family aircraft have been in production for over 50 years.
Summary
- The Citation Latitude is a best-selling mid-sized jet powered by Pratt & Whitney engines flying over 400 examples.
- The Cessna Citation Longitude is the largest jet, with a range of 3,500 NM, and seats 12 people.
- CJ4 has the longest range in the Citation family and offers spacier seating for up to 10 passengers.
The Cessna Citation family of business jets began over 50 years ago, in 1972. By 2022, more than 8,000 jets in the Citation family have been delivered, logging over 41 million flight hours. Simple Flying delves deeper into the Citation family aircraft with the longest range.
5 Cessna Citation CJ3+
Operational range: 2,040 NM (3,780 km)
| Model | 525 Citation CJ3+ |
|---|---|
| Length | 51 ft 2 in (15.60 m) |
| Wingspan | 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m) |
| Wing area | 294 sq ft (27.3 sq m) |
| Cabin | 58 in (1.5 m) |
| Passengers | 9 |
| MTOW | 13,870 lb (6,290 kg) |
| Cruise speed | 416 kn (770 km/h) |
| Range | 2,040 NM (3,780 km) |
| Engines | 2x FJ44-3A |
| Total thrust | 5,640 lbf (25.1 kN) |
The Cessna Citation CJ3+ is part of the C/M2 series of light business jets designed and developed by Cessna, a Textron Aviation company. The original aircraft was launched in in October 1989, and performed its first flight in April 1991. With the delivery of the first Cu series aircraft in March 1993, Cessna continued to improve on the design and performance parameters of the aircraft family.
Photo:InsectWorld | Shutterstock
The CJ3+ is an upgraded version CJ3 with upgraded Garmin G3000 avionics and newer seats with foldable armrests. The CJ3 is a stretched version of the earlier CJ models, with a capacity for up to nine passengers. Powered by two Williams Fi44 engines, the aircraft has a cruising speed of 416 knots (770 km/h). In 2023, its equipped price of the Citation CJ3+ was $10.5 million.
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4 Cessna Citation XLS+
Operating range: 2,100 NM (3,900 km)
| Model | 560XL Citation XLS+ |
|---|---|
| Length | 52 ft 6 in (16.00 m) |
| Wingspan | 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m) |
| Wing area | 370 sq ft (34 sq m) |
| Cabin | 68 in (1.7 m) |
| Passengers | 9 |
| MTOW | 20,200 lb (9,200 kg) |
| Cruise speed | 441 kn (817 km/h) |
| Range | 2,100 NM (3,900 km) |
| Engines | 2x PW545C |
| Total thrust | 8,238 lbf (36.6 kN) |
The Cessna Citation Excel (XL) is a midsize business jet introduced in October 1994, and (the 560 XL) first flew in February 1996. The 20,200 lb (9,200 kg) MTOW jet, a little heavier than a light jet category, is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PV545C turbofan engines, each generating 4,080 bf (18.1 kN) takeoff thrust.
Photo: RHL Images | Shutterstock
The upgraded PW545C engines are featured on the 2008 XLS+ design, which also has a glass co*ckpit and an upgraded nose. The manufacturer has produced more than 1,000 examples across various Citation Excel variants, and production remains active.
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3 Cessna Citation CJ4
Operational range: 2,170 NM (4,020 km)
| Model | 525 Citation CJ4 |
|---|---|
| Length | 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m) |
| Wingspan | 50 ft 10 in (15.49 m) |
| Wing area | 330 sq ft (31 sq m) |
| Cabin | 58 in (1.5 m) |
| Passengers | 10 |
| MTOW | 17,110 lb (7,760 kg) |
| Cruise speed | 451 kn (835 km/h) |
| Range | 2,170 NM (4,020 km) |
| Engines | 2x FJ44-4A |
| Total thrust | 7,242 lbf (32.2 kN) |
The Cessna Citation CJ4 is a further stretched version launched at the NBAA conference in October 2006. Retaining the overall design of the CJ series, the CJ4 wings have a moderate sweep, similar to the Citation Sovereign. The CJ4 cabin is approximately 21 inches longer than the CJff, allowing up to 10 passengers to fit (including one in the co*ckpit during single-pilot flights).
Photo:InsectWorld | Shutterstock
The cabin seating area is stretched by about 7 inches (18 cm), providing greater flexibility with the forward side-facing divan, forward-facing chairs, and club seats. The CJ4 has block speeds of 410-420 knots (760-780 km/h) at cruising altitude and consumes approximately 160 US gal (610 L) of fuel per hour. Cessna has delivered more than 400 examples of the CJ4 with an equipped price of nearly $12 million.
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2 Cessna Citation Latitude
Operational range: 2,850 NM (5,280 km)
| Model | 680A Citation Latitude |
|---|---|
| Length | 62 ft 3 in (18.97 m) |
| Wingspan | 72 ft 4 in (22.05 m) |
| Wing area | 543 sq ft (50.4 sq m) |
| Cabin | 77 in (2.0 m) |
| Passengers | 9 |
| MTOW | 30,800 lb (14,000 kg) |
| Cruise speed | 446 kn (826 km/h) |
| Range | 2,850 NM (5,280 km) |
| Engines | 2x PW306D1 |
| Total thrust | 11,814 lbf (52.5 kN) |
The Cessna Citation Latitude is a super midsized business jet announced at the 2011 NBAA convention. The aircraft first flew in February 2014, and the first deliveries began in August of the same year. Developed from the Citation Sovereign, the Latitude retains the same wing design but features a new circular fuselage with a flat floor. Most business jets have a stepped-down aisle, enabling maximum stand-up length. The flat floor design provides greater comfort and ease of access, similar to that of commercial airliners.
Photo: Textron Aviation
The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D1 turbofans, each producing approximately 6,000 lbf (26 kN) of takeoff thrust. As of May, Cessna has delivered more than 400 examples of the Latitude, with an equipped price of $19.75 million.
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1 Cessna Citation Longitude
Operational range: 3,500 NM (6,482 km)
| Model | 700 Citation Longitude |
|---|---|
| Length | 73 ft 2 in (22.30 m) |
| Wingspan | 68 ft 11 in (21.01 m) |
| Wing area | 537 sq ft (49.91 sq m) |
| Cabin | 77 in (1.96 m) |
| Passengers | 12 |
| MTOW | 39,500 lb (17,917 kg) |
| Cruise speed | 476 kn (882 km/h) |
| Range | 3,500 NM (6,482 km) |
| Engines | 2x HTF7700L |
| Total thrust | 15,200 lbf (68 kN) |
The Cessna Citation Longitude is the largest business jet produced by Cessna and was developed from the Citation Latitude. Retaining the aluminum airframe and cross-section, the aircraft is stretched by a seat row. The new T-tail and wing featuring a 28-degree sweep angle enable an enhanced range of 3,500 NM. The type performed its first flight in October 2016 and entered service in October 2019.
Photo: Cessna
Powered by two Honeywell HTF7700 engines, each producing 7,665 lbf (34.1 KN) of takeoff thrust. With the capacity to accommodate eight people in a double-club configuration, the cabin is pressurized under 6,000 ft (1,800 m) altitude. Since September 2019, Cessna has produced more than 100 examples of the Citation Longitude. The equipped price of the jet is approximately $30 million.
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What are your thoughts on the Cessna Citation models with the furthest range? Share your views in the comments section.
