The Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 has officially entered service, marking the most comprehensive upgrade yet for the Gen2 family. The aircraft was delivered to its launch customers, experienced Citation owners and pilots Dave Mecartney and Shannon Day.
Mecartney, a nearly two-decade Citation aviator and member of Textron Aviation’s Customer Advisory Board, played a direct role in shaping the new model. The enhancements are a direct response to user feedback, focusing on technology, comfort, and customization. Key new features include Garmin autothrottle technology for reduced pilot workload, a significant increase in cockpit legroom, and a fully bespoke cabin interior.
“The Citation CJ3 Gen2 delivers an unmatched experience from day one,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president of Sales & Marketing at Textron Aviation. He highlighted its blend of performance, efficiency, and the new passenger and pilot-focused features, calling it the company’s most significant Gen2 investment to date. The aircraft received FAA certification in October 2025.
For the customers, the decision was clear. “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,” stated Shannon Day. She specifically praised the autothrottles, externally serviceable lavatory, and the crucial extra legroom for taller pilots.
The cockpit now offers an additional 4.5 inches of legroom, improving comfort and accessibility. It retains the proven Garmin G3000 avionics suite with the latest hardware and software, including an intuitive touchscreen interface, advanced connectivity via the GDL 60 for wireless data transfer, and the new autothrottle system.
Inside, the cabin is fully customizable, seating up to ten passengers in a luxury environment tailored to the owner’s mission. The inclusion of an externally serviceable lavatory adds operational convenience.
Dave Mecartney emphasized the long-term trust in the brand. “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,” he said. For him, choosing the CJ3 Gen2 was a natural continuation of a reliable partnership and aircraft lineage that has supported his operations for nearly twenty years.
