Textron rolls out first production Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 executive jet

Cessna staff members recently gathered at the Wichita facility in the United States (US), as the first production Citation CJ4 Gen3 executive jet was rolled out.

On October 20, 2026, Cessna owner Textron Aviation confirmed that the first production Citation CJ4 Gen3 marked an “important milestone as the aircraft advances toward entry into service”.

Citation CJ4 Gen3 program has so far logged nearly 1,100 flight test hours across two test articles, with recent activities including hot weather and electrical system certification testing.

“This rollout is a visible result of the care, precision and teamwork that move an aircraft from design intent to a production-ready airplane,” Eric Cardinali, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Operations, said. “For our manufacturing teams, it represents the disciplined execution behind every milestone — translating customer-driven innovation into a high-quality aircraft built to perform.”

Textron Aviation

He added: “I’m proud of the craftsmanship and collaboration that brought the first Citation CJ4 Gen3 production unit to this point.”

According to Cessna, the CJ4 Gen3 is expected to be the first light jet to market with Garmin Emergency Autoland. The aircraft will also feature a maximum range of 2,165 nautical miles with seating for up to 11 occupants and a 6,930-pound useful load.

In October 2024, Textron announced that a new series of light jets was in development. These included the Cessna Citation M2 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3, and CJ4 Gen3.

At the time of the announcement, the company hoped that the Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 would enter service in 2026. However, this has since been revised to 2027.

The Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 represents the next evolution of Textron Aviation’s largest Citation light jet.

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