The Citation CJ3+ business jet has successfully completed its first flight, Cessna said this week. Mark Tuttle, production flight test pilot, said he flew for 73 minutes, and all systems performed as expected. The flight took place from the company’s manufacturing site in Wichita, Kansas. The new airplane, which was announced in March, is an upgrade of the CJ3, with a Garmin G3000 flight deck and ADS-B capability. It will be easier to get in and out of the cockpit, Cessna said, thanks to a smaller pedestal and more room. For passengers, the upgrade adds a new interior with a lower cabin altitude and high-speed internet access.
The airplane will be single-pilot certified and seats up to nine passengers. It has a range of 2,070 nautical miles and a maximum cruise speed of 416 knots. FAA certification and first deliveries are expected by the end of this year.
