Citation CJ3

Cessna’s best-ever light jet?

Originally published on AviationWeek.com

Textron Aviation now has delivered nearly 500 Citation CJ3/CJ3+ light jets since the aircraft made its production debut in late 2004. This is the firm’s bestselling, current production light jet. This airplanes’ prices are rising on the resale market, according to Gavin Woodman, co-founder of Aerocor, a new light jet brokerage firm based in Los Angeles.

No wonder. They will climb to FL 450 at MTOW in about 30 min. and cruise at more than 400 KTAS, assuming standard day temperatures, based on our observations. That’s 25-kt. faster than Textron predicts in the flight planning guide.

Operators also say Textron’s advertised range and speed num- bers are conservative. Cessna predicts a top cruise speed of 380 KTAS or Mach 0.66 at FL 450 at mid weights. We’ve had to pull back the thrust at FL 450 to avoid triggering the Mach 0.737 overspeed warning alert.

Cessna says the aircraft will fly 1,830 nm with full fuel and three passengers. Operators say the aircraft will fly more than 1,900 nm with four passengers at high-speed cruise. Slow down and it will cruise more than 2,000 nm. Some say that its range is virtually the same as the $900,000 more expensive CJ4.

Runway performance is a strong suit. It needs only 3,180 ft. of pavement for takeoff on a sea-level standard day and only 4,750 ft. of runway when departing BCA’s 5,000 ft. elevation, ISA+20C airport. It can depart Mexico City at MTOW on a 26C day.

Power comes from two 2,820-lb. thrust Williams International FJ44-3A engines, having a relatively low, 2.09:1 bypass ratio. This enhances high altitude performance. There’s little time savings for cruising below FL 430 to FL 450 on trips longer than one hour.

The standard cabin has a forward, right-side refreshment center, a center four chair club section and two forward facing seats in the aft cabin. The cabin is comfortable for four people, dovetailing nicely with aircraft’s 800-lb. tanks-full payload. The full width, fully enclosed aft lavatory has an internally service flush toilet. Popular options include a side-facing seat in place of the right-side galley and a belted potty seat, providing an 8-pas- senger cabin.

There’s a 20-cu.-ft. compartment in the nose that’s handy for storing crew gear, engine nacelle duct and probe covers. The aft baggage compartment accommodates another 50 cu. ft. of gear.

First generation aircraft, s.n. 1 to 293 that were produced from 2004 to 2009, have Rockwell-Collins Pro Line 21 avionics, featur- ing three 8 in. by 10 in. LCD screens, dual Pro Line 21 comm, nav and transponder radios, a single FMS-3000 with TSO C-129 GPS receiver, single scanning DME and solid-state weather radar. A second FMS-3000 or Garmin GPS panel mount radio was op- tional. It costs at least $120,000 to upgrade this series of aircraft to ADS-B, more if the aircraft has dual FMS-3000 boxes.

Second generation aircraft, s.n. 294 to 415, built from 2009 to 2014, have upgraded FMS-3000s capable of LPV approaches, a 12-channel GPS-4000S WAAS receiver, TDR-94D Mode S diversity transponders, standard TCAS II and a USB thumb drive database update capability. A second FMS-3000, GPS- 4000A and DME-4

The CJ3+, the third-generation model, has been in production since 2014. Serial number 451 and subsequent aircraft are fitted with Garmin G3000 touchscreen avionics, in keeping with Tex- tron’s gradual move to Garmin avionics for all its business jets.

For hourly operating expense, budget 165 gph for fuel burn, $313.60 for Williams TAP Blue engine program, $251.72 for Tex- tron’s Pro Parts and $298 for Pro Tech labor.

What’s not to like about the CJ3? Some systems have little or no redundancy. A single 28 volt DC-powered hydraulic pump, for instance, supplies the power brake and anti-skid system. If it fails, you’re down to using the back-up pneumatic brake system with no differential braking and no anti-skid.

The electrical system has two, highly reliable 29 volt DC starter-generators. But, they feed a common, parallel buss dis- tribution system. If something shorts out, it can blow a cross-tie current limiter, disabling part of the electrical system if a genera- tor fails. Some other light jets use a split bus architecture isolate faults to one side of the system, thereby helping to prevent total electrical system failures.

The CJ3’s windshields are stretched acrylic plastic, essentially the same design of the original Citation 500 of the early 1970s. En- gine bleed air must be used for anti-ice protection because they lack the internal electrical heating elements of glass windshields.

Over-wing refueling ports are used to replenish Jet A rather than single-point pressure refueling. And the internally service toilet means that blue water must be carried through the cabin.

These nits apparently aren’t detracting from the aircraft’s ap- peal in the used markets. Woodman says first-generation models now command $3.5 million. Second generation aircraft go for $5.0 million to $5.5 million. Forget buying a used CJ3+. “You can’t find one for sale,” says Woodman.

The CJ3 and CJ3+ are hot sellers on the used aircraft market. Few competitors offer their balance of handling ease, runway performance, operating efficiency and 1,900 nm to 2,000 nm range, plus strong factory service center support from Textron Aviation.

AEROCOR LLC, a global leader in Very Light Jet sales, announced today a first of its kind Certified Program for Pre-Owned Eclipse 500 and 550. Aircraft selected for Certified Pre-Owned status are subjected to a thorough review and will include fresh inspections along with first year scheduled maintenance and operational support.

“We are very excited to bring this unique opportunity to the Eclipse Market” says company Cofounder Gavin Woodman, adding “We know how stressful buying a jet can be, and we’ve seen how easy it is to make costly mistakes. We designed the AEROCOR Certified Pre-Owned Eclipse Program to take the guesswork out of the process, delivering a vetted aircraft with predictable maintenance costs that is backed by a company dedicated to owner pilots.”

Aircraft selected for Certified Pre-Owned status are prescreened to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality. AEROCOR then subjects each to a proprietary flight test and review process and ensures that each aircraft is delivered with all mandatory service bulletins, critical system updates, a 24 month inspection, and all maintenance items due within the first 12 months or 300 flight hours of ownership completed prior to closing. The program includes additional post sale support, with AEROCOR including one type rating training entitlement and up to one year of scheduled maintenance at no additional cost.

To learn more contact Justin Beitler at 747.200.6004, Justin@AEROCOR.com.

AEROCOR is announcing the launch of its new Operational Test & Evaluation Service for pre-owned Eclipse aircraft. This new service further supports AEROCOR’s goal of removing the uncertainty associated with buying a pre-owned aircraft.

The Operational Test and Evaluation Service offers two distinct benefits to any Eclipse buyer: first, a thorough audit confirms the full configuration of the aircraft and uncovers details that can dramatically affect value; and second, a rigorous test flight fully validates the functionality and performance of all the aircraft systems. The resulting information allows any buyer to make decisions with confidence.

As an Airline Transport Pilot with more than 10 years of both maintenance test-flying and aircraft sales experience, Justin Beitler lead the effort to develop the detailed procedures used to evaluate each aircraft. “With so many different configurations of Eclipse aircraft available, understanding the details of a specific aircraft takes experience,” notes Beitler. “Our program not only reveals and explains hidden details, but also exposes the aircraft to a full range of real-world operating conditions, testing systems in flight that can’t be fully evaluated on the ground. This service offers tremendous peace of mind to the pre-owned Eclipse buyer.”

AEROCOR’s program concludes with a detailed written report, highlighting over 500 individual data points and system checks.

To learn more about this service, AEROCOR at 747.777.9505, clearance@AEROCOR.com, or visit www.AEROCOR.com

AEROCOR has released a comprehensive buyer’s guide for the Eclipse 500/550 family of aircraft. The guide is designed to answer all of the most common questions posed by potential buyers. It includes sections outlining aircraft options, avionics upgrades, maintenance intervals, engine programs, aircraft performance, insurance, and flight training providers.

“There has been a notable lack of unbiased information available about the Eclipse” notes Justin Beitler, AEROCOR co-founder and CEO. “As the global leader in Eclipse jet sales, we’ve learned a lot about the aircraft. Now we’ve packaged that information into a guide to simplify the information search process.”

AEROCOR says that the guide will be updated regularly to incorporate new upgrades, STC’s and other pertinent changes as they occur. They plan to release similar guides for other single pilot turbine aircraft in the near future. To receive a free copy of the guide, email sales@AEROCOR.com

No one would try and teach themselves how to fly.

An obvious mountain of risk makes the idea nothing short of foolish. What many of us fail to recognize, however, is that buying an aircraft involves its own unique set of risks. “Going it alone” when buying an aircraft is akin to on-the-job training with little or no experience, guidance, or prior know-how, and the results can be costly. Most aircraft owners will utilize the skills and experiences of a broker to sell an aircraft, so why not use a broker when buying one?

The process of purchasing an aircraft is more complex than it seems. It typically begins with a buyer defining his or her ‘mission requirements’—where is he or she going to fly, how fast does he or she need to get there, how much does he or she need to carry… A buyer will use that information to select the right aircraft model, find the best example, conduct a pre-buy inspection, and if all goes well, complete the transaction.

Beyond the purchase, however, a buyer will need to investigate a range of other details: pilot training, aircraft management, maintenance, financing, insurance, etc. The whole process, from the very beginning until the final handshake, is where an aircraft broker can be worth his/her weight in gold.

A good buyer’s agent comes with a network of trusted professionals with which they already have considerable experience. Outlets for financing, insurance, training, and maintenance have all been researched, vetted, and ranked. Without a broker, buyers must do the research on their own, and finding the right resources can involve some luck. While a good broker is buying and selling aircraft on a regular basis, developing useful insights along the way, a first-time buyer is prone to making some mistakes. What this really means is that, by hiring an experienced broker, one can learn from the broker’s previous mistakes, and avoid the cost of repeating them.

Experience creates a wealth of lessons. As an example, consider the process of inspecting an airplane. The goal is to save money by uncovering hidden flaws, but there are financial risks associated with mismanaging the process. If inspection results are managed in a reactionary setting, with each discrepancy negotiated as it is discovered, a compounding level of frustration could lead to an irreconcilable position, ending a potential sale and costing both parties time and money. A far more effective and efficient method would be to not only limit negotiations to a single discussion, but also anticipate common or known discrepancies, outlining the response to each ahead of time. This properly establishes expectations, reduces emotional strains, and minimizes the risk that an unforeseen problem will lead to a failed deal.

Before an inspection begins, there are potential pitfalls. Buyers often do not understand all the nuances associated with aircraft values and the result can be overpaying for an airplane. Consider “pay by the hour” engine maintenance plans available for many common light jets (such as the Eclipse, Mustang, and Phenom). Many buyers don’t fully understand the subtle difference between Pratt and Whitney’s ESP-Gold and ESP-Gold “Flex” programs. That one word can change an aircraft’s value by hundreds of thousands of dollars. A buyer’s agent will not only provide protection against this type of innocent oversight, they will also guard against a less than honest seller deliberately misquoting this information.

But even with the correct information, how does one accurately determine the correct market value of a potential purchase? Valuing an aircraft can be difficult task. Sellers often (improperly) quote the price they paid to buy the airplane as a basis for determining its current value, often because this is the only reference point available. The harsh reality is that the price one paid to buy an airplane has no bearing on its current market value. Consider the stock market, for example. The current value of a stock is not based upon what the owner paid. The stock has a market value based upon current supply and demand trends, and aircraft are no different. In the case of buying an aircraft, however, market value can be incredibly difficult to define. Brokers gather information related to sale prices of comparable aircraft (i.e. “comps”) in order to provide a better outline for current market values. Some brokers, such as AEROCOR, also track additional market details such as transaction volume and supply trends, as well as more granular information related to aircraft configuration details (such as hours, options, and condition). This allows for a more detailed analysis of values, and provides context for negotiations. By utilizing the services of a buyer’s agent, one can gain clarity and ultimately acquire an aircraft at the right price.

Unfortunately, the all too common mistake of overpaying means that many owners will attempt to recover lost money years later when it’s time to sell, often setting an unrealistically high asking price. The reality, however, is that this is a problem that can’t be corrected. Overpriced aircraft will remain for sale (potentially indefinitely) until the price is reduced to the current market value. In this case, the “ounce of prevention” spent hiring a buyer’s agent is worth the pound of cure.

When considering the option of engaging a professional acquisition service, there is one potential additional benefit that can outshine all the others: being first in line. With some brokerage firms, such as AEROCOR, an acquisition client will receive the “right of first refusal” on any purchase opportunity, including wholesale opportunities normally reserved for the brokerage firm itself. Should a wholesale opportunity arise, the savings realized by the average buyer will far outweigh any acquisition/consulting fees incurred, meaning the buyer will receive all the normal benefits of risk mitigation, value transparency, and overall deal efficiency, while at the same time receiving a “net positive” financial savings. In a scenario such as this, it would be hard to justify not engaging the services of a professional.

Getting professional help when buying an airplane can save time, money, lots of aggravation, and provide insulation from common (i.e. costly) mistakes. Just like with flying, learning from a pro will allow you to simply focus on having fun.

Justin Beitler is the Co-Founder and CEO of AEROCOR, a professional aircraft brokerage firm specializing in the sale and acquisition of owner-flown aircraft. Contact him directly at justin@aerocor.com or 1-747-200-6004.

Introducing AEROCOR LLC. An aircraft sales organization catering to the owner pilot community. The firm provides aircraft brokerage, acquisition and factory acceptance services.

AEROCOR utilizes proprietary market tracking and aircraft valuation tools specific to its market segments, and is developing additional resources aimed at helping buyers navigate the purchase planning process. “Every aircraft search begins with a simple question: What is the best aircraft for my mission? It’s a simple question, but today, answering it involves deciphering information from countless sources. AEROCOR streamlines this process; organizing information in a way that follows a buyer’s decision process, answering the relevant questions along the way. Armed with this information, our clients make more informed, more confident decisions.” says company Co-founder and CEO Justin Beitler.

By using objective data analysis techniques commonly found in the financial services industry, AEROCOR is modernizing the way aircraft are bought and sold. AEROCOR specializes in the Eclipse Jet, Cessna Citation and Socata TBM markets.