Cessna Citation Sovereign+

The Cessna Citation Sovereign+ is the latest variant of the Cessna Citation Sovereign. The original Sovereign was announced in 1998, making its maiden flight in early 2002.

FAA certification was awarded in June 2004 and deliveries started in September of the same year.

In October 2012 Cessna announced the improved Sovereign+ and deliveries started in December 2013. Key improvements included an improved flight deck, engines, and winglets.

The Sovereign is based on the Citation Excel (XLS/XLS+). Cessna stretched the fuselage and joined it together with a new, larger wing and more powerful engines.

These changes provided the Sovereign with an increased Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) and increased the range.

According to Cessna, the Sovereign+ “provides unbeatable short field performance … and exceptional baggage capacity”.

However, most notably, the Cessna Citation Sovereign was the aircraft that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flew on in August 2019, causing widespread controversy.

The Sovereign+ is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D engines. Each engine is capable of producing 5,907 lbs of thrust.

This enables the aircraft to take off with just 3,530 feet of runway. The minimum landing distance is 2,600 feet.

The maximum range of the Sovereign+ is 3,200 Nautical Miles (3,682 Miles / 5,296 KM). Cruise speed comes in at 460 knots and the Sovereign+ can fly at a maximum altitude of 47,000 feet.

The basic operating weight of the aircraft is 18,231 lbs (8,269 kg), with the aircraft having a useful load of 12,794 lbs (5,803 kg). The Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of the aircraft is 30,775 lbs (13,959 kg).

The Sovereign+ features Cessna’s classic design philosophy and style. Up to 12 passengers can fly on the aircraft.

However, this would make for a very cozy cabin. The seats are arranged in a double club configuration.

These seats are all fully berthing, can swivel and track. In between the seats, passengers will find executive tables that can be neatly stowed away.

The cabin features 14 large windows which allow every seat to have a view out and fill the cabin with natural light. At the front customers can choose to fit the optional couch seats.

At the very front of the cabin, passengers will find the galley. The galley provides ample supply cabinets, cold storage, and a well-lit counter for food preparation.

At the rear of the aircraft, passengers will find the lavatory which, as standard, comes with a sink featuring temperature-controlled water.

Just behind the lavatory passengers will find the high-capacity baggage compartment. Here there is space for up to 1,000 lbs of cargo.

Additionally, the baggage compartment is heated. Perfect for carrying your hot luggage or perhaps an orchid.

Naturally, the aircraft features Cessna’s latest cabin management system. This can be controlled from your personal device.

Therefore, passengers are able to access digital media, view the moving map, and control the cabin from the comfort of their own phone.

The cockpit “offers the ultimate command center for pilots”. Cessna has outfitted the Sovereign+ with the Garmin G5000 avionics suite.

This makes the cockpit bright, modern and all-glass. Pilots will therefore benefit from unsurpassed situational awareness.

Features include Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT), detailed moving map imagery, electronic charts, TCAS II, TAWS, and touch-screen controls.

All the features are fully integrated into the cockpit. Additionally, the advanced autothrottle technology “frees the hands of busy pilots”.

The estimated charter cost for a Cessna Citation Sovereign+ is $4,400 per flight hour.

Naturally, prices will vary depending on availability, fuel prices, ground fees, and more.