Textron Aviation recently announced the successful first flight of its Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 prototype, which took to the skies in early October. This milestone comes alongside the company’s introduction of three new Gen3 models—the Citation M2 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3, and CJ4 Gen3—at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. These next-generation jets are part of the renowned Citation light jet family, the world’s most popular line of business aircraft. The CJ4 Gen3 is developed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT).
“The CJ4 Gen3 prototype’s first flight is a significant milestone in the flight test program, bringing us closer to certification and customer delivery,” said Chris Hearne, Senior Vice President of Engineering & Programs at Textron Aviation. “Our test pilots reported that the aircraft performed as expected, meeting our projected standards. The program will now proceed into a comprehensive testing phase to ensure it meets the highest performance benchmarks.”
The flight, piloted by senior test pilot Corey Eckhart and chief test pilot Ed Wenninger, took off from Textron’s west Wichita campus at Eisenhower National Airport. During the 1 hour and 47-minute flight, the crew assessed the aircraft’s avionics, propulsion, environmental, and flight control systems. Powered by two Williams International FJ44-4A turbofan engines, the CJ4 Gen3 demonstrated key advancements.
The CJ4 Gen3 stands out as the first business jet to feature the new Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics suite, designed for enhanced pilot control with a streamlined touchscreen interface that simplifies cockpit workflow. Additional features include Garmin Autothrottles and Garmin Emergency Autoland, aimed at boosting operational efficiency.
The prototype will continue to undergo extensive testing, focusing on system performance, avionics, and overall capabilities. The CJ4 Gen3 is expected to enter service in 2026.
We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide.