The Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 has entered into service, setting a new standard for the Citation Gen2 family. Launch customers and longtime Citation owners Dave Mecartney and Shannon Day took delivery of their new aircraft this week. Mecartney—an experienced aviator with nearly two decades flying Citation light jets and a member of Textron Aviation’s Customer Advisory Board—helped shape the enhancements that elevate the CJ3 Gen2 experience. Key upgrades include Garmin autothrottle technology, added pilot legroom and a fully customizable cabin environment, all driven by customer feedback.
The Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
“The Citation CJ3 Gen2 delivers an unmatched experience from day one—thanks to its exceptional range, payload and efficiency, combined with new productivity and comfort features,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “Customers like Shannon and Dave will undoubtedly appreciate this aircraft, our most comprehensive Gen2 investment to date.”
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Download free sample pages More informationCertified by the Federal Aviation Administration in October 2025, the aircraft was designed based on customer feedback via a Customer Advisory Board made up of owners, pilots and mechanics helping to create the ultimate aircraft experience. This feedback was key in every detailed enhancement in the aircraft, from cockpit to cabin.
“After extensive consideration of the competition, there was no equal for handling, service and support, training and reliability in the entry level jet category than the CJ3 Gen2,” said Shannon Day. “When we decided to upgrade our mission capabilities, staying in the Citation family was an easy decision. The CJ3 Gen2 is a great next step in my aviation journey and I’m looking forward to the advances in this aircraft like autothrottles, an externally serviceable lavatory and more legroom for a 6’3” pilot.”
The cockpit in the CJ3 Gen2 provides an extra 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) of legroom for the pilot, improving entry and egress from the pilot’s seat before and after flight. It offers a proven and trusted avionics system with the latest Garmin G3000 software and hardware, including:
The fully customizable luxury interior allows customers to create the ideal environment for their specific mission with seating for up to 10 occupants. For added convenience, the Citation CJ3 Gen2 includes an externally serviceable lavatory.
“As a Cessna Citation owner since 2007, the brand has consistently earned my trust with a proven heritage, superior reliability and one of the strongest service and support networks in the industry,” Mecartney added. “The aftermarket support has always been responsive, efficient and predictable—which is invaluable as an owner-pilot. Choosing the CJ3 Gen2 felt like a natural continuation of a relationship and an aircraft lineage that I’ve relied on for nearly two decades.”
