Textron Aviation’s second Citation CJ4 Gen3 flight test article has completed its first flight, the company announced May 15. The aircraft is expected to enter service in 2026.
Testing on the second test aircraft, called P1, will focus on avionics, human factors and interiors. The three-hr., 29-min. initial flight, flown by pilots James Bearman and Corey Eckhart, centered on general avionics and systems evaluations. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 45,000 ft. and a maximum speed of 305 kts. Bearman reports the aircraft performed to program expectations, with a “smooth and seamless flight,” the company said.
Textron Aviation announced the Citation CJ4 Gen 3 during in 2024 at the National Business Aviation Association Conference & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). The P1 aircraft joins the CJ4 Gen3 prototype, which flew for the first time in 2024. The CJ4 Gen3 will include the Garmin G3000 Prime avionics suite with streamlined touchscreens and smoother flight deck flow to reduce pilot workload along with faster, more responsive processing and increased connectivity. The aircraft will also include Garmin Autothrottles and Garmin Emergency Autoland.
The CJ4 Gen3 is expected to have a maximum range of 2,165 nm, a maximum cruise speed of 451 ktas and seating for up to 11 occupants.
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