Citation CJ Line Brings Comfort and Efficiency to Business Jet Travel, Part 2

By Carmelo Turdo

The Cessna Citation line of business jets offers a wide variety of models from which to choose, each providing the ideal combination of performance and efficiency for the owner's mission. To meet specific customer needs, Cessna (now Textron) has produced a Citation fleet that has evolved and modernized over five decades, with 7500 aircraft flying over 35 million hours. Along with new models, there are attractive and well-maintained pre-owned aircraft available for first-time jet owners and upgrade customers. One example, this 1995 CitationJet managed by Gateway Jets, is the subject of Part Two of this series.

The Aero Experience recently visited with Gateway Jets President Corey Tomczak to learn more about this CitationJet, or CJ, aircraft. The CJ is an update to the classic Citation Model 500 and one of eleven different sub-types of the Model 525. The CJ starts with the best qualities of the Citation design and makes improvements in safety, efficiency and comfort without adding undue complexity. In today's market, the CJ is affordable jet transportation, especially when shared among several owners and professionally managed by Gateway Jets.

The CJ is larger than the later-model Citation Mustang, featured in a previous series of stories with Gateway Jets. "This is a step up in terms of speed, payload, range, carrying capacity as well as having lower entry-level costs," Tomczak told The Aero Experience. "Each one of the Citation family of jets that we manage fit the customer needs differently, and to their advantage."

This aircraft has seating for five passengers (plus one in the cockpit right seat) in a comfortable club cabin arrangement. Typical flights range from 500-1000nm depending on number of passengers, luggage and fuel on board. Flying in pressurized comfort above the commercial airline traffic, on your own schedule, is now possible for more businesses and individual aircraft owners using the CitationJet. 

The CJ is powered by two fuel-efficient and reliable Williams International FJ44 engines, both of which are covered by the TAP Blue comprehensive engine maintenance program. A laminar-flow wing design, the product of a joint-venture with NASA,  incorporates a gentle sweep and engine bleed-air leading edge anti-icing system. Baggage compartments are quite large, and are conveniently hidden in the nose and rear cabin behind the aft bulkhead. 


The CitationJet is an excellent choice for getting into the business jet market. The CJ is a proven design, has relatively low initial and operating costs and is well supported by Williams International and Textron Aviation. This aircraft is ideal for single or multiple owners who need to travel quickly and efficiently to regional branch locations or to family vacation spots. It can be a first aircraft purchase or upgrade from a piston, turboprop or smaller jet aircraft type. 

Gateway Jets provides aircraft management services from initial purchase to all aspects of air operations, maintenance and compliance. Current aircraft owners will quickly see the advantage of having their aircraft managed by Gateway Jets. For those ready to acquire an aircraft, Corey Tomczak and his team will help buyers define the mission for the new aircraft and choose the most appropriate aircraft type. They will assist in the purchase process, prepare a plan of operations and then work closely with the aircraft owner to ensure the aircraft and crew are ready to fly.  

Check back next week for Part 3 of this series, where we will discuss the aircraft acquisition process with Gateway Jets President, Corey Tomczak. You can also always contact Gateway Jets for more information about their aircraft acquisition and management services.