Cessna Citation CJ1

The CJ1 is the second generation of the extremely successful Citation Jet series. It comes with all of the advantages that the original Citation Jet offered but with improvements in economy and performance. Its status as the second-generation Citation gives the advantage of using a private jet design that has been tested and modified to exceed the success of the first model – the Citation Jet.

Cessna Citation CJ1 Overview

CJ1 differs in creating an aerodynamic structure that is financially prudent to produce and handles well. Previous Citations had used a straight wing, which slows the aircraft considerably but dramatically reduces production and design costs. The Citation Jet upgraded to a natural laminar flow wing, which took four years to design in a joint venture between Cessna and NASA. This wing delays the onset of airflow separation longer, improving the lift-to-drag characteristics by ten to fifteen percent when compared to earlier straight-wing designs.

Specifications

The CJ1 is extremely fuel-efficient, burning an average of 134 gallons per hour. The economy of its fuel burn can be largely attributed to Cessna’s choice of engines. It uses two Williams/Rolls-Royce FJ44-1A turbofans, each of which delivers 1,900 pounds of thrust on takeoff.

Another of the CJ1’s strong points contributes to its low operating cost as well: the simplicity (but reliability) of its flight systems. It uses the Pro Line 21 avionics package, complete with PFD (Primary Flight Display) and MFD (Multi-Function Display) flat-panel screens. The CJ1 is the first business jet to be equipped with these screens (except for the gigantic Boeing Business Jet).

Despite the CJ1’s economy in flight, it allows for a surprisingly high payload. Its three baggage compartments can carry up to a total of 832 pounds of luggage. The CJ1 was specifically designed to be able to operate on short runways. At sea level the CJ1 can take off in 3,080 feet; on runways at an altitude of 5,000 feet, its takeoff distance increases to a mere 5,710 feet.

The CJ1 has a payload capacity of 1,400 pounds; its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 10,600 pounds is 100 pounds heavier than the MTOW of its predecessor the Citation Jet. The maximum fuel weight also increased by 300 pounds to a total of 3,220 pounds.

These alterations resulted in better range/payload flexibility, offering owners more options in flight planning. The most surprising result of the significant increase in the payload is that the CJ1 is faster than the Citation Jet.

Aircraft Data

RocketRoute added advanced performance data for the following profiles:

• Cruise (Maximum, Normal, Long Range)
• Single Engine
• Climb (high Speed, NOrmal)
• Descent
• Holding
• Mass and Balance

The powerplant in the Cessna Citation CJ1:

Two 8.45kN (1900lb) Williams Rolls-Royce FJ44-1A turbofans

Dimensions:

Wing span 14.26m (46ft 10in), length 12.98m (42ft 7in), height 4.18m (13ft 8in). Wing area 22.3m2 (240.0sq ft).