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a somewhat lower altitude. I routinely fly at well over 400 KTAS at FL450, sometimes even faster than 410 KTAS at that highest cruise altitude when the plane is lighter. The most recent release of the G3000 software (V4.8 for Citations) has a comprehensive f light and performance planning capability that adds an airspeed bug depicting the book value under the actual conditions. Almost always, the indicated airspeed at cruise is 8 to 12 KIAS higher than the cruise book value. So, given that I based my purchase decision on the book values of each aircraft, I am elated with how much better the performance has been in actual use.
One of the penalties that operators typically pay for such capability is much longer runway requirements. Although nobody can claim that the CJ3+ is a STOL aircraft, its landing and takeoff performance is impressive. I landed the CJ3+ at Mackinac Island for a regional event with the Citation Jet Pilots (CJP) association, the world’s largest owner-operator group focused on Citation aircraft. The airport has a single runway 3,501 feet long. I landed and had to power up to get to an exit taxiway, having used less than 2,500
feet of that runway. I have the G3000 option called Surface Watch installed that shows airport information in many forms, including the distance remaining on the runway. I routinely depart my home airport using less than 2,000 feet of runway. Once again, the CJ3+ had proven to outperform the book values in every category.
Additionally, the amount of storage space available on the CJ3+ has exceeded my expectations. It’s one thing to list these quantities in a comparison sheet and another to be able to use all that space in planned flights. For instance, I flew to pick up a group of professional golfers I know to fly them to their next event. And believe me, they travel heavy carrying large tour golf bags and heavy- duty luggage able to withstand any kind of rough treatment. They also need to carry additional equipment to best prepare for their tournament play. The CJ3+ holds 1,000 pounds of luggage in its two large storage areas. The two Citation aircraft I considered in my analysis were exceptionally well- positioned in this category.
I will also note that I have been
pleasantly surprised by the WIFI
capabilities onboard. When I ordered
the CJ3+ and specified the list of
options, I included the Gogo ATG
system. I believe I was the first person
to have installed an ON/OFF switch in
the panel since successfully negotiating
the use of hourly pricing for CJP with
Gogo. In fact, the system has worked so
well that I now consider it as virtually
a required piece of equipment. Gogo
introduced new technology under
the brand name AVANCE, and I am
currently scheduled to upgrade my
system to that new architecture soon. CIES
In Gilbraltar with N825MD during an international trip with AirJourney.
A friend of mine recently sold an aircraft he had bought not long ago and is moving back to his previous aircraft type. Although there was much to like about his new choice, too many areas had not lived up to expectations. That often happens as aircraft sales information is difficult to wade through and find what you can certainly expect after purchase. But with five years behind me in the 2000th Citation Jet built, a CJ3+, I can say that the plane has outperformed in every category and the reasons why this jet is so popular are clear.
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April 2022 / TWIN & TURBINE • 29