Textron Aviation announced on May 15, 2025, a major program milestone for the Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 flight test program with the successful first flight of a second test article, designated P1. This flight focused on evaluating avionics, human factors, and interiors.
Piloted by James Bearman and Corey Eckhart, the three-hour and 29-minute initial flight centered on general avionics and system evaluations. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet and a maximum speed of 305 knots, performing to program expectations.
This achievement continues the forward momentum of the CJ4 Gen3 program, which was announced during the 2024 NBAA-BACE. The addition of this test article to the flight test program ensures rigorous testing as Textron Aviation works towards certification and the aircraft's expected entry into service in 2026.
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