Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and M2 Gen3 programmes have accumulated more than 1,220 combined flight-test hours as the three light jets advance towards Federal Aviation Administration certification. The update, issued from the company’s headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, also covers testing of Garmin’s Emergency Autoland system, which is being incorporated into all three aircraft.
The CJ4 Gen3 accounts for nearly 1,100 hours across two test aircraft. Recent work has included hot-weather and electrical-system certification testing, making it the most advanced of the three programmes and the expected first light jet to enter the market with Emergency Autoland.
The CJ3 Gen3 has exceeded 60 flight-test hours and is currently undergoing landing and braking performance testing. The M2 Gen3 has logged more than 75 hours and is approaching simulated en-route emergency testing. That work will include automated airport selection and autoland to a full stop.
The cumulative figure reflects progress across multiple Citation platforms, although Textron Aviation has not provided a detailed schedule of remaining certification activities or firm FAA certification dates for each model.