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Just after Textron Aviation debuted its latest Gen2 reconfiguration in its private jet series, the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2, the company also announced the customer for the fleet launch.
Private jet operator flyExclusive will not only buy the first Gen2 edition of the Citation CJ3, leaders of both companies said on Monday at NBAA-BACE, holding a press event at the static display of aircraft at Henderson Executive Airport (HND), but could end up ordering around 30 of them in the coming years.
As for the aircraft, the Citation CJ3 Gen2 will feature tech upgrades in a roomier cockpit, along with more tech and amenities in the cabin.
Textron Aviation President and CEO Ron Draper was visibly excited as he introduced videos highlighting the upgrades and how the collaboration between existing Citation CJ3 owners and Textron staff brought the new features to life.
"If you talk aircraft with me for long at all, you'll find out that this is my favorite aircraft that we make," Draper said. "This is our most comprehensive Gen2 to date."
The announcement comes just days after Textron announced that the Citation M2 Gen2 will be upgraded with Garmin autothrottle.
The CJ3 Gen2 will also gain that feature in its Garmin G3000 cockpit, where pilots will find 4.5 additional inches of legroom compared to the existing Citation CJ3, and GDL60 remote connectivity will be added so crews can submit flight logs digitally, and the aircraft can deliver its own diagnostic reports.
Entering the aircraft, passengers and crew will notice a new step design with an assist handle.
Along with USB-C ports available at every seat, a pair of seats at the entryway can be folded down for additional storage. Standard seating can fit 10 passengers, carrying them along a max range of 2,040 nautical miles and a max payload of 2,135 pounds.
The Citation CJ3 Gen2 also has an array of new options, including enhanced vision, swivel seats and an optional sink and vanity design. @globalair.com Take a look at the Citation Ascend mockup on display at 2023 NBAA-BACE ?? #nbaa23 #nbaabace #citation #citationascend #aviation #aviationgeek #aviationconvention #avgeek #citationmockup #aircraft #aviationtiktok #bizav #bizavtiktok #businessaviation ? original sound - GlobalAir.com
Other features inside include the new seats with base and floor tracking capability, changeable accent lighting, wireless charging in the main cabin, top-loading executive and slimline tables, and lighted side pockets for additional storage.
The interior can also be customized with either an optional side-facing seat or a refreshment center.
The lavatory will have a CoolView skylight, and it can be serviced externally.RELATED STORIES:Textron to update Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 with Garmin Autothrottles Citation Ascend mockup will make North American debut at 2023 NBAA-BACEThe move by flyExclusive to line up to buy the first Citation CJ3 Gen2 comes as part of a larger effort to modernize its fleet, including an order of up to 44 new Textron Aviation aircraft, including up to 30 Citation CJ3+ aircraft.
"(Our) customers expect the best, and we believe the best planes money can buy are built and serviced by Textron Aviation," said Jim Segrave, Founder, Chairman and CEO of flyExclsuive in a statement issued by Textron. "We take pride in being the fleet launch customer for the Citation CJ3 Gen 2, building on our decades-long relationship with Textron Aviation. I am excited that our fractional customers will get to invest and travel in the top light jet in the world."
The Citation CJ3 Gen2 will enter into service in 2025, and Textron is already taking orders.
Other highlights at the Textron Aviation static display at NBAA-BACE include the show debut of the Beechcraft Denali, a special-missions Cessna Grand Caravan EX and a mockup of Cessna's other recently announced effort, the Citation Ascend, which the company announced on Monday the first will go to NetJets.
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