The Cessna Citation CJ3+ and Cessna Citation CJ4 are members of the same family. Both are part of the Cessna CitationJet/CJ legacy.
The history of this lineup of aircraft dates back to the early 1990s. However, the CJ3+ and CJ4 represent the latest members of the family.
Deliveries of the CJ4 began in 2010, with deliveries of the CJ3+ starting 4 years later in 2014.
If you are interested in comparisons between other Cessna aircraft, then look at this comparison between the Cessna Latitude and Longitude.
Performance
Firstly, aircraft performance.
The Cessna Citation CJ3+ is powered by two Williams Intl. FJ44-3A engines. Each engine is capable of outputting up to 2,820 lbs of thrust, resulting in a total out of 5,640 lbs of thrust.
In comparison, the Cessna Citation CJ4 is powered by two Williams International FJ44-4A engines. Each engine is capable of putting out up to 3,621 lbs of thrust (7,242 lb total).
Both the CJ3+ and CJ4 are capable of cruising at a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet.
However, the CJ3+ and CJ4 have very different maximum cruise speeds.
While the CJ4 can cruise at 451 knots, the CJ3+ can’t cruise past 416 knots.
Therefore, over the course of 1,000 nautical miles the Cessna Citation CJ4 will save you 11 minutes over the CJ3+. Of course, this is assuming that both aircraft are flying at their maximum cruise speed and all conditions are equal.
However, over the course of several trips, choosing the CJ4 over the CJ3+ will start to save you hours of time.
Range
Surprisingly the difference in range between these two aircraft is relatively minor.
The Cessna Citation CJ3+ has a maximum range of 2,040 nautical miles. Whereas the Cessna Citation CJ4 has a maximum range of 2,165 nautical miles.
Use this interactive range map to see how far these range figures will get you.
Of course, as with every manufacturer stated range figures, these numbers are somewhat optimistic.
Therefore, even of the CJ4s best day, the aircraft couldn’t quite fly non-stop from New York to Los Angeles.
Ground Performance
The ground performance is the classic tale of the larger aircraft requires more runway to take off and more runway to land.
Therefore, the CJ3+ can take off in a minimum distance of 3,180 feet. Whereas the CJ4 requires at least 3,410 feet of runway to take off safely.
The same story continues when it comes to landing. The CJ3+ requires a minimum of 2,720 feet to land. In comparison, the CJ4 has a minimum landing distance of 2,940 feet.
In the real world a difference in take off distance of 230 feet will go unnoticed. Furthermore, be sure to keep in mind that these figures are the minimum distance required.
These figures represent the best case scenario.
Interior Dimensions
The interior dimensions of each aircraft simply highlight the fact that these aircraft are both based on the same airframe. Of course, that is no bad thing.
Both the CJ3+ and CJ4 have an interior width of 1.47 meters and an interior height of 1.45 meters.
The key difference is when comparing the length of each cabin. The Cessna CJ3+ has an interior length of 4.78 meters. In comparison, the Cessna CJ4 has an interior length of 5.28 meters.
Consequently, the Cessna CJ4 is able to carry one extra passenger than the CJ3+. Officially, according to Cessna, the CJ3+ can carry up to 9 passengers while the CJ4 can carry up to 10.
However, realistically these aircraft will never carry that many people. Certainly when chartering one of these aircraft you will never find that many people onboard.
One reason for this is because these figures take into account one passenger sitting in the cockpit. Seeing as both aircraft are single pilot approved, one passenger is technically allowed to sit upfront.
However, any reputable charter operator will insist on having two pilots at all times.
Below is the interior layout for the CJ4. This is allowing for the maximum number of passengers. There are six clear seats. The other three seats come in the way of a side-facing couch and belted lavatory. The tenth passenger, as previously mentioned, would be sitting in the cockpit.
Realistically it is unlikely that more than six passengers will be onboard either of these aircraft at the same time.
Interior
Firstly, let’s look at the interior of the Citation CJ3+. Fourteen windows provide a reasonable amount of natural light within the cabin. When flying at night the interior is illuminated by low-power, energy-efficient LED lighting.
The cabin is quiet for the light jet class and the cabin altitude goes to a maximum of 8,000 feet. However, while a cabin altitude of 8,000 feet is not impressive compared with many larger aircraft, for a light jet flying short missions this cabin altitude is acceptable. Additionally, the CJ3+ features a belted flushing toilet as standard.
The CJ3+ remains connected to the world below with wireless cabin technology designed especially for the Citation lineup. Optional in-flight WiFi, moving maps, flight information, and cockpit audio are all integrated with your own personal device. This allows for “uninterrupted productivity and entertainment”. An optional Satcom phone is also available.
Upfront the aircraft features a refreshment center to keep you well fed during the mission. This can be replaced by a side-facing seat to maximize passenger capacity. The four front seats are arranged in a club configuration with access to an executive table.
The CJ4 features all this and more. For example, the extra length of the CJ4 over the smaller CJ3+ is most noticeable in the flight deck and the refreshment center area. The refreshment center features a divided ice drawer, coffee container, disposable cup dispenser, trash container, bottled water, can storage and snack storage.
All seats within the cabin swivel and track forward/aft and inboard/outboard, with the two center forward-facing seats also floor-tracking. In-between the double-club seats are two bi-fold tables, along with slimline bi-fold tables for the rear seating area. In order to increase the space within the club seat area, the rear-most seats can be moved further back.
The CJ4 features the Collins Venue cabin-management/entertainment system with a Blu-ray media center and single-channel SiriusXM radio. The CJ4 also features a monitor on the forward bulkhead, two side-ledge monitors, and environmental system controls. All lights in the cabin are LED and each seat has cabin-management and entertainment system controls. Gogo’s air-to-ground system or Cobham Inmarsat SwiftBroadband Satcom are available options for airborne connectivity.
Cessna Citation CJ3+ Interior
Cessna Citation CJ4 Interior
Charter Price
The estimated hourly charter price of these aircraft is remarkably similar. Of course, there are many factors that can influence the price of a private jet charter. Therefore, please keep in mind that these figures are only estimates.
The estimated hourly charter price for the CJ3+ is $2,750. In comparison, the CJ4 has an estimated hourly charter rate of $2,800.
Therefore, the charter rate of these aircraft is nearly identical.
Purchase Price
And finally, how much does each aircraft cost to buy?
Given that it is smaller, the CJ3+ commands a lower price tag. The list price for a new Cessna Citation CJ3+ is $8 million.
On the other hand, the list price for a new Cessna Citation CJ4 is $9.7 million.
When it comes to the pre-owned market, the value of each aircraft is very nearly identical.
For example, a five-year-old CJ3+ is estimated to have a market value of $5.7 million. As a result, over five years the CJ3+ is expected to lose around 30% of its value. This level of depreciation is normal.
On the other hand, the CJ4 is slightly worse off when it comes to depreciation. A five-year-old CJ4 has an estimated market value of $6.5 million. This, therefore, represents a loss of over 30% of its original value.
Summary
To conclude, these aircraft are so similar it makes it hard to choose between them.
The main things that the CJ4 has going for it are the additional speed and length. However, not much more is done with the additional length in the CJ4. In the real world, the seating capacity is the same for both aircraft.
Additionally, the increased range of the CJ4 isn’t enough to conclude that it is the better aircraft over the CJ3+.
Therefore, it comes down to money. If chartering and you have a choice between the CJ3+ and CJ4, the CJ3+ is the one to go for. The experience will not be improved by upgrading to a CJ4.
This trend even continues through the purchase. The CJ3+ has a lower upfront cost and suffers less depreciation than the CJ4.
When comparing the CJ3+ and CJ4, it is hard to see a situation in which the CJ4 would be preferable over the CJ3+.
