Cessna Citation CJ3
Turbofan • twin engine • Low Wing • Retractable gear
Range Visualization
Origin: · click map to move · nm at current load
Payload vs. Range
Customize assumptions
Default: 190 lbs (FAA standard)
Default: 30 lbs
Passengers
lbs
@ lbs / pax
0 lbs
Fuel on board
gal
+ Weight
Range
Available Range
/ nm
Mission capable —
Aircraft can handle the current load with full fuel tanks.
Fuel tradeoff required —
You'll need to leave gallons of fuel behind
( gal usable for nm range).
Over max gross weight —
Reduce payload by lbs
to safely operate this aircraft.
Mission Profile
Endorsements & ratings:
- High-Altitude
- Pressurization
- Multi-Engine
- Instrument
416
KTAS
Cruise Speed
9
Occupants
2040
nm
Max Range
820
lbs
Wet Payload
About the Cessna Citation CJ3
The Cessna Citation CJ3 (Model 525B) is widely regarded as the ‘gold standard’ of the light jet category. By stretching the CJ2 fuselage and increasing the wingspan, Cessna created an aircraft that perfectly balances fuel efficiency, speed, and cross-country range. It is arguably the most capable aircraft ever certified for single-pilot operations, offering transcontinental reach with the simplicity of a much smaller jet.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- Transcontinental Utility: With a 2,040 nm range, the CJ3 can comfortably fly non-stop between most major US city pairs (e.g., New York to Denver) with reserves.
- Single-Pilot Mastery: The CJ3+ variant introduced the Garmin G3000, while the legacy CJ3 uses a highly reliable Pro Line 21 suite. Both are optimized for solo operations with extensive automation.
- Class-Leading Climb: Its power-to-weight ratio allows it to climb directly to FL450 in under 30 minutes, getting above weather and airline congestion significantly faster than the CJ1 or CJ2.
- Remarkable Resale Value: Due to its immense popularity among owner-operators and charter companies, the CJ3 holds its value better than almost any other light jet on the market.
Trade-offs
- Acquisition Cost: Excellence isn’t cheap; a pre-owned CJ3 often commands a premium price—sometimes $1-2M more than a comparable CJ2+.
- Cabin Profile: While longer, the CJ3 still shares the ‘dropped aisle’ fuselage diameter of the original CitationJet. It is comfortable, but taller passengers will still find the 4’ 9” height a bit restrictive compared to a mid-size jet.
- Weight and Balance: Like its predecessors, it is sensitive to weight and balance; with 7+ passengers, you will likely need to leave some fuel behind, reducing it to a 1,000 nm aircraft.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions & Weights
- Length
- 51.2 ft
- Parking area (ft2)
- 3557.46 ft2
- Max Takeoff Weight
- 13,870 lbs
- Max Landing Weight
- 12,750 lbs
- Useful Load
- 5,530 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- 703 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- 416 KTAS
- Never-Exceed (Vne)
- 430 KIAS
- Max Structural Cruise (Vno)
- 260 KIAS
- Approach Speed
- 105 KIAS
- Stall, Clean (Vs1)
- 102 KIAS
- Range
- 2040 NM
- Service Ceiling
- 45,000 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 1090 - 4478 fpm
- Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle
- 3,180 ft
- Landing ground roll
- 2,770 ft
Similar to the Cessna Citation CJ3
Cessna Citation CJ2
Cruise
413 kts (lower than this aircraft)
Range
1530 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
9
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Cessna Citation CJ4
Cruise
451 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
2165 nm (higher than this aircraft)
Seats
10
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Learjet 70
Cruise
465 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
2060 nm (higher than this aircraft)
Seats
8
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Learjet 75
Cruise
465 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
2040 nm
Seats
9
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Bombardier Learjet 45
Cruise
445 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
1824 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
9
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Bombardier Learjet 35/36
Cruise
418 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
2125 nm (higher than this aircraft)
Seats
8
Jet
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Cessna Citation M2
Cruise
404 kts (lower than this aircraft)
Range
1550 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
7
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Learjet 40
Cruise
464 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
1692 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
8
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Bombardier Learjet 55
Cruise
420 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
2165 nm (higher than this aircraft)
Seats
10
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Cessna Citation II/Bravo
Cruise
401 kts (lower than this aircraft)
Range
1740 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
10
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Bombardier Learjet 25
Cruise
464 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
1437 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
10
Jet
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Bombardier Learjet 31
Cruise
456 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
1250 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
8
Jet
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Bombardier Learjet 60
Cruise
436 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
2398 nm (higher than this aircraft)
Seats
9
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Bombardier Learjet 23
Cruise
450 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
1590 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
8
Jet
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
Cessna Citation V/Ultra/Encore
Cruise
428 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
1667 nm (lower than this aircraft)
Seats
8
Turbofan
twin engine
Low Wing
Compare
See how the Cessna Citation CJ3 stacks up against similar aircraft
