Cessna III

Cessna Citation III (Model 650)

The Citation III was Cessna’s first clean-sheet entry into the midsize business jet market, moving away from the straight-wing designs of earlier Citations. It features a high-speed supercritical swept wing and a T-tail, significantly improving performance and making it a serious competitor to Learjets of the era.

Key Features for GA Buyers

• Speed and Altitude: Capable of reaching FL510 and cruising at over 470 knots, it shed the ‘Slow-tation’ moniker.
• Cabin Comfort: Features a ‘stand-up’ cabin with a dropped aisle, providing 5.7 ft of headroom and an enclosed aft lavatory.
• Efficiency: Known for excellent climb performance and fuel efficiency at high altitudes compared to contemporary midsize jets.

Trade-offs

• Legacy Systems: Early models may feature older ‘glass’ or analog avionics that require expensive upgrades for modern airspace compliance.
• Maintenance: As a complex, high-performance jet, maintenance costs (especially for the Honeywell TFE731 engines) are significant compared to light jets.
• Payload/Range: While capable of transcontinental flights, range is reduced significantly when carrying a full load of passengers.