Textron Rolls Out First Citation CJ4 Gen3 Production Unit

Manufacturer in 2024 announced that ‘longtime enthusiast’ Ryan Samples is the launch customer.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Textron Aviation employees celebrate the first Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 production unit rolling out of its facilities in Wichita, Kansas. [Credit: Textron Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Textron Aviation has rolled out the first production unit of the Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3, its next-generation largest light business jet, with entry into service planned for 2027.
The CJ4 Gen3 introduces key upgrades such as Garmin Emergency Autoland (the first light jet to market with this feature), Autothrottle, and the G3000 Prime flight deck, developed in response to customer feedback.
Ryan Samples, a prominent aviation enthusiast, has been announced as the launch customer for the new jet, which boasts enhanced performance, range, and operating economics.

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Textron Aviation on Tuesday announced that the first production unit of the Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3, the next generation of the manufacturer’s largest Citation light business jet, has rolled out from its facilities in Wichita, Kansas, ahead of planned entry into service in 2027.

Textron unveiled the twin-engine, single-pilot CJ4 Gen3 in October 2024 and announced its first prototype flight the same day. The company said Monday that a pair of test articles had racked up nearly 1,100 flight hours, up from 880 in July.