In 1974, Cessna studied a long range model 700 stretch of its original Citation I powered by three JT15Ds called Citation III, with a 17,500 lb gross weight, an 8,000 lb empty weight and a 7,500 lb fuel capacity leaving 2,000 lb for the occupants, and targeting 1978 deliveries. This would have gave it a transcontinental range. Cessna announced the 10 to 15 passengers, $2.5 million Citation III at the Fall 1976 NBAA convention. Scheduled for 1980, the model then presented had a cruciform tail and a cockpit similar to previous Citations. As the proposed three-engined Models 600 and 700 timing was inadequate, it would be powered by two TFE731 and would be lifted by a supercritical 35° swept wing. Its maximum cruise was targeted for 470kn, the long-range version had a 19,300lb gross weight and would cover. The programme was to cost up to $50 million to launch. In 1978, it had a specific cockpit and a T-tail, the wing had an area of 312ft² and an aspect ratio of 8.94, the ER version targeted a MTOW of 18,300 lb and an empty weight of 9,400 lb. Assembly of the first production aircraft began in January 1979 and the first prototype made its maiden flight in May. The second prototype first flew in April 1980. By July, certification was put back by six months and first deliveries were scheduled 11 months later than originally planned. $40 million were spent on R&D and $25 million for certification, for a total spending of $150 million by first delivery including tooling. By October, the two prototypes had logged 400 hours in 372 flights and FAR-25 certification was expected in April 1982 with first deliveries in October. The initial late 1982 production rate of one per month should grow to seven per month by 1985. The FAA approved its type certificate on April 30, 1982. The aircraft is flown by a crew of two and it can seat up to 13 passengers but a typical corporate interior will seat six to eight passengers. It was developed in seven years for $240 million. The first production model, owned by golfer Arnold Palmer, set time to altitude aircraft records of 12 min 1 s to 12,000 m, and 23 min 43 s to 15,000 m, and an airspeed record from Gander Airport to Paris le Bourget in 5 h 13 min, averaging 429 kn. Production continued for nine years until 1992, with a total of 202 Citation IIIs being built. By 2018, The Citation III/VI/VII can be had for $0.5-1.5 million.
Variants
Citation IV: cancelled stretch
In 1988 Cessna studied a stretch, longer range Citation IV to better compete with the BAe 125 with new engines, either Garretts or Pratt & Whitney PW300s. At the time, the 473 kn, 2,385 nmi range Citation III was selling for $6.125 million. Cessna launched the $8.8 million Citation IV at the October 1989 NBAA convention in Atlanta. It was expected to fly in early 1992, to be certified at the end of the year and to enter service in mid-1993. Powered by Garrett TFE731-4s, wingspan increased by 10% to and wing area was up almost a quarter. Fuel capacity increased from, max takeoff weight attained and the cabin was longer. Performance was increased and it had a transcontinental range. In 1990, Cessna cancelled the bigger, longer range and more expensive Citation IV to offer the cheaper VI and more capable VIII.
Citation VI: lower cost
For $1.4 million less than the $8.1 million III, the Citation VI has a standard interior and was to be delivered from April 1991. It first flew in 1991 and 39 were built before it was discontinued in May 1995.
Citation VII: upgrade
For $1.65 million more than the III, the Citation VII has more powerful engines to improve the payload-range and hot and high performance. It first flew in February 1991 and was certificated in January 1992. In 1996 Executive Jet Aviation ordered 20 for its Netjets fractional ownership programme. After the launch of the $12 million Citation Sovereign due for certification in the third quarter of 2003 and first delivery for the first quarter of 2004, the final Citation 650 was set to roll off the assembly line on 15 September 2000, 119 were built.
