Aircraft Overview: Cessna Citation CJ4

Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ4 Gen2 and CJ4 Gen3 are twin-engine business jets produced by the Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturer that are commercial designations of the company’s Model 525C.

Introduced in 2006, the Citation CJ4 made its first flight on May 5, 2008, from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. 

Subsequently, the Model 525C was certified by the FAA on March 12, 2010, ahead of the first delivery on April 15, 2010. On Feb. 9, 2021, Textron Aviation introduced an upgraded version of the type—the Citation CJ4 Gen2—the first example of which was delivered on March 9, 2021. 

The further-upgraded Citation CJ4 Gen3 was announced alongside the Citation M2 Gen3 and CJ3 Gen3 on Oct. 21, 2024. 

At the time those enhanced Citations were announced, the airframe manufacturer stated that a prototype CJ4 Gen3 made its first flight in “early October” 2024, with that version of the Model 525C anticipated to enter service in 2026. 

According to the FAA type certificate data sheet (TCDS) that includes the Model 525C, the airplane can seat up to 11—two crew and nine passengers—while Textron markets the three commercial designations of that type as capable of a maximum passenger capacity of 10. 

Certified to be operated by one pilot, Citation CJ4, CJ4 Gen2 and CJ4 Gen3 passengers are accommodated in a cabin that has a length of 17 ft. 4 in., width of 4 ft. 10 in. and height of 4 ft. 9 in. 

The FAA TCDS further states that the maximum baggage capacity of the nose compartment and tailcone are 400 lb. and 600 lb., respectively, and Textron notes that the baggage capacity weight is 1,040 lb. and the baggage capacity volume is 77.1 ft.³

Pilots operate the Citation CJ4 and CJ4 Gen2 by utilizing Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line 21 integrated avionics system, the standard features of which include dual primary and multifunction flight displays, as well as dual attitude heading reference systems. 

One of the changes made to the CJ4 Gen3 is the incorporation of Garmin’s G3000 PRIME integrated flight deck, which has standard features such as primary flight displays and secondary control units, “full flight regime autothrottles,” automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) Out and In capability, a Class A terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS-A), cockpit voice recorder, integrated crew alerting system, dual attitude heading/reference systems (AHRS) and flight management systems (FMS)—the latter of which has “GPS [n]avigation”—and a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS II). 

The Citation CJ4 Gen3 also incorporates Garmin Emergency Autoland, as well as the company’s Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) and GWX8000 StormOptix weather radar. 

Performance limitations of the Model 525C include a maximum operating limit Mach (M_MO) of 0.77 Mach at altitudes greater than 28,000 ft. and a 45,000-ft. maximum operating altitude. 

In addition to that certified M_MO, the maximum cruise speed for all commercial designations of that type is 451-kt. true airspeed (KTAS). 

Based on a ferry mission at the long-range cruise speed, carrying National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) instrument flight rules (IFR) reserves—"100-nm alternate”—and with no wind and on a standard day, the maximum range of the CJ4 Gen3 is 2,165 nm. 

The CJ4 Gen3’s respective takeoff field length and landing distance are 3,410 ft. and 2,940 ft., the former of which assumes the type’s maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), no wind and a standard day, sea-level altitude and a dry, level and paved runway. 

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Powering the Model 525C are a pair of Williams International FJ44-4A turbofan engines that have a takeoff static thrust engine limit—assuming sea-level altitude and a standard day—of 3,621 lb. 

The 869.8-gal. (5,828 lb.) usable fuel capacity is carried in two 434.9-gal. (2,914 lb.) wing tanks. 

Beyond the Model 525C’s 17,110-lb. MTOW and 15,660-lb. maximum landing weight, the CJ4 Gen3 has a basic operating weight of 10,300 lb., useful load of 6,930 lb. and a 2,200-lb. maximum payload, the latter of which is reduced to 1,102 lb. when carrying full fuel.