Textron Aviation Delivers First Citation CJ3 Gen2 | Aviation International News

Textron Aviation Delivers First Citation CJ3 Gen2

Aircraft received FAA nod later last year

Textron Aviation Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 — The first Textron Aviation Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 went to Dave Mecartney and Shannon Day.

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

January 9, 2026

Textron Aviation handed over the first Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2, bringing to market what it calls the most extensive upgrade yet for the model. Delivery, to longtime Citation owners Dave Mecartney and Shannon Day, took place this week following FAA approval in October. The handover marks the second market entry for an updated model in as many weeks—Textron Aviation delivered the first Citation Ascend to a customer at the end of last month.

Mecartney, a member of Textron Aviation’s customer advisory board who has nearly two decades of experience flying Citations, helped provide key input into the upgrades for the CJ3 Gen2 experience. Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation senior v-p of sales and marketing, called the aircraft “our most comprehensive Gen2 investment to date.” Upgrades include the addition of Garmin autothrottles, more pilot legroom, and a customizable cabin environment.

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