Citation III Specifications

Background/History

Cessna made a significant advancement in the development of its popular Citation line with the Citation III, which made its first flight in May 1979. The Citation III was an entirely new airframe featuring a swept wing with a supercritical airfoil optimized for high speed long range flight. It was certificated in April 1982 with first customer deliveries occuring in 1983. Various optional equipment and interior configurations were tried before the Citation III was finally replaced by the Citation VI in 1991, after a total of 202 units had been built.

Power

The Citation III is powered by two Garrett TFE 731-3B-100S two-spool, geared turbofan engines rated at 3,650 lbs. of thrust each at sea level. Inspection interval on the engine core is 4,200 hours.

Avionics

A typical avionics configuration for a Citation III could include dual Collins VHF 22A comms, dual Collins VIR 30A navs, Sperry SPZ-650 flight director and autopilot system, dual Collins TDR 90 transponders, ADF 60s, DME42s, dual Universal UNS-1K FMS and GPS, King KHF 950 HF comm, Sperry 4-tube EFIS, Collins ALT 55B radar altimeter and Sperry Primus 800 color weather radar. Other optional equipment might include a Sundstrand CVR and FDR.

Design Features

The Citation III is configured as a cantilever low swept-wing monoplane with swept T-tail. The retractable tricycle landing gear incorporates two wheels on each main unit and a single nose wheel. Each wing has four spoilers which are hydraulically activated: outboard spoilers augment the ailerons for roll control, two center spoilers act as speed brakes, and the inboard panels are used as ground spoilers. Flaps are of composite graphite and Kevlar construction. Bleed air is used for wing leading edge anti-ice and engine inlet anti-ice.

Accomodations

The standard interior configuration for the Citation III is for seven passengers, although the maximum seating capacity of the aircraft is thirteen. The standard seven-passenger arrangement includes an aft lavatory and a forward refreshment center. Interior dimensions are 5.9 ft. cabin height, 5.8 ft. cabin width, and 18 ft. cabin length as measured from the cockpit divider. A 61 cu.ft. aft baggage area is accessable only from outside the aircraft.