Textron Aviation says Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen3 prototype completes first flight in certification push

• Textron reported the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen3 prototype completed its first flight, moving the next-generation light jet program toward FAA certification.
• The nearly two-hour flight reached 41,000 feet and 278 knots indicated, focusing on cockpit software functionality.
• The CJ3 Gen3 adds Garmin Emergency Autoland to the Garmin G3000 avionics platform, reflecting customer-driven technology upgrades.
• All three Gen3 Citation light jets—CJ4, CJ3, M2—are now in flight testing, supporting the broader certification and entry-into-service pipeline.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Textron Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 202607291231BIZWIRE_USPR_____20260729_BW333762) on July 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.