Cessna Citation III

The Citation III, a midsize cabin business jet with a 2,054 nm range, was the first of Cessna’s model 650 series.

It was designed for optimal speed, utilized lightweight composites, and smooth surfaces to cut down on drag, and featured an entirely new fuselage mated to a super-critical swept-back wing and a T-Tail.

As of May 2018, 100% of the Citation III aircraft were purchased pre-owned by their current owners. 21.2% are for sale with more than half of those (64%) under an exclusive broker agreement.

When for sale, the average time on the market is 493 days. Over the past 12 months, the Citation III has averaged 3 full retail transactions per month.

Cessna set out to build a private jet with impressive range and speed while keeping costs low and performance high, and thus the Citation III was created.

The new model symbolized several milestones in the Citation program – it was Cessna’s entry into the high speed, medium corporate jet market, their first model to utilize Garrett (now Honeywell) and not P&W engines, and was a departure from the original structural design of all previous models.

At the time of release, the Citation III had the longest range and the fastest overall cruise speed of any midsized jet.Cessna Citation III Performance

Even in turbulence, flights in the Citation III are smooth, as are taxiing and landings, due to the trailing link landing gear.

Pilots report excellent control and smooth performance in stalls, easy landings, and very effective brakes.

The two Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S engines are reliable and allow for great flexibility in flight operations.

One of the best features of the Citation is that it is fast. It was designed for optimal speed: the body utilizes lightweight composites wherever possible, and smooth, bonded metal surfaces to cut down on drag.

It climbs quickly to its flight level of 43,000 feet where it can cruise at a maximum speed of .81 to .83 Mach (468 knots).

Its maximum range with four passengers is 2,920 miles (2,054 nautical miles).

At the time of its release, the Citation III had the longest range and fastest overall cruise speed of any midsized jet. Engines use a combined 241 gallons per hour (GPH).

The interior of the Citation III was designed to look and feel like the interior of a much larger, more expensive private jet.

The cabin of the Citation III has a volume of 438 cubic feet and is about 5.8 feet high.

Special headliner lighting and window design provide bright, indirect lighting, giving the cabin a spacious, open feel.

The cabin holds eight passengers in seats that recline, swivel, and have adjustable armrests and footrests.

There is an available 61 cubic feet of baggage space. Best of all, travel in the Citation III is fairly quiet due to its compliance with the FAR part 36 noise standards.

The Honeywell digital SPZ-8000 flight control system comes standard in the Citation III.

It includes many safety checkup systems that are uncomplicated, so checking the status of many vital flight systems is literally as easy as pressing a button.

The Citation III is certified to FAR part 25 safety standards, the same standards that commercial jets must adhere to.

The cost to charter this jet starts at around $3,150 an hour.

Hourly charter rates do not include all taxes, fuel, and other fees. Charter costs will vary based on year of make/model, schedule, routing, passenger & baggage totals, and other factors.