Midsize Jet - Legacy Production
Cessna Citation III (Model 650): Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
Cessna Aircraft Company
Cessna Citation III (Model 650): Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
The Cessna Citation III (Model 650), produced from 1983 to 1992, is Cessna's first stand-up cabin midsize business jet and the foundational platform of the legendary 650-series that introduced Cessna to the "serious contender" category in business jet competition. Announced at the October 1976 NBAA convention, the Citation III made its maiden flight on May 30, 1979, received FAA type certification on April 30, 1982, and was delivered between 1983 and 1992. Powered by twin Garrett (now Honeywell) TFE731-3B turbofan engines producing 3,650 lbf each, the Citation III delivers 2,350 nautical miles of range with 4 passengers, 473 ktas (Mach 0.83) maximum cruise speed (the fastest Cessna in production at its introduction), and is certified to FL510 (51,000 ft). The aircraft features a T-tail and 312 sq ft swept wing. A total of 202 Citation IIIs were built. Pre-owned market today: $500,000 to $1.5 million.
For aviation enthusiasts and operators wanting the foundational platform of Cessna's modern Citation lineup at very attainable cost, the Citation III represents historically significant Cessna engineering.
Citation III Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Midsize Jet - Legacy Production |
| Production Status | Discontinued 1992 |
| Model Designation | Cessna 650 |
| Announced | October 1976 NBAA Convention |
| First Flight | May 30, 1979 |
| FAA Type Certification | April 30, 1982 |
| Production Years | 1983 to 1992 |
| Total Units Built | 202 |
| Family | Founder of 650-series (III/VI/VII) |
| Cessna's First Stand-Up Midsize | Yes |
| Crew | 2 pilots |
| Passengers (Standard) | 8 (4 club + 4 in various configurations) |
| Passengers (Max) | 13 (with belted lavatory and high-density) |
| Max Range (NBAA IFR, 4 pax) | 2,348 nm (2,350 nm typical) |
| Max Cruise Speed | 473 ktas (Mach 0.83) |
| Service Ceiling | FL510 (51,000 ft) |
| Original Cessna Configuration | Fastest Cessna in production at introduction |
| Engines | 2× Garrett (Honeywell) TFE731-3B turbofans |
| Thrust per Engine | 3,650 lbf (7,300 lbf total) |
| Wing | 312 sq ft swept supercritical wing |
| Tail | T-tail configuration |
| Wing Span | 53 ft 6 in (16.31 m) |
| Length | 55 ft 6 in (16.90 m) |
| Height | 16 ft 10 in (5.12 m) |
| MTOW | 22,000 lb (10,000 kg) |
| Empty Weight | 11,811 lb (5,357 kg) |
| Operating Empty Weight | 12,200 lb (5,534 kg) |
| Cabin Length | ~19 ft |
| Cabin Width | ~5'8" |
| Cabin Height | ~5'8" (stand-up) |
| Original New Price (1989) | $6,125,000 |
| Pre-Owned Price (2025) | $500,000 to $1,500,000 |
History as Cessna's "Serious Contender" Entry
The Citation III was Cessna's strategic entry into the serious midsize jet market, departing from Cessna's previous straight-wing Citations to a swept supercritical wing configuration with modern T-tail design. Before the Citation III, all Cessna Citations had straight wings derived from the original 1969 Citation I prototype.
Platform timeline:
- October 1976: Announced at NBAA Convention
- May 30, 1979: First flight
- April 30, 1982: FAA type certification
- 1983: First production deliveries begin
- 1988: Cessna studies 4 ft stretch Citation IV concept
- October 1989: Citation IV announced at NBAA
- 1990: Citation IV cancelled (would have been Model 670)
- 1991: Citation VI introduced (lower-cost variant)
- 1992: Citation III production ends; Citation VII introduced
- 1995: Citation VI production ends
- 2000: Citation VII production ends (Citation Sovereign program launched)
Combined Citation III/VI/VII production: 360 aircraft across all variants.
Why the Citation III Was a Pivotal Design
The Citation III represented multiple firsts and breakthroughs for Cessna:
First Swept Wing Citation
Previous Citations (Citation I, II, V) had used straight wings derived from the original 1969 Citation I prototype. The Citation III introduced:
- 312 sq ft swept supercritical wing: Modern aerodynamics
- High-speed cruise capability: 473 ktas (Mach 0.83)
- Speeds previously seen only in Learjets, Gulfstreams, Hawkers: Cessna joined the high-performance class
First Stand-Up Cessna Midsize
The Citation III introduced stand-up cabin height to the Cessna midsize lineup, addressing the "Slo-tation" criticism by combining genuine speed with cabin comfort.
Cross-Platform Fuselage
The Citation III's fuselage cross section and cockpit were carried over and used in the later:
- Citation X / X+ (1996-2018)
- Citation Excel / XLS / XLS+ / XLS Gen2 (1998-Present)
- Citation Sovereign / Sovereign+ (2004-2021)
This cross section is one of the most-used in business aviation history, spanning over 4 decades.
Novel Safety Feature: Emergency Descent Mode
The Citation III was equipped with a then-novel Emergency Descent Mode (EDM):
- Activation conditions: Above 34,275 ft, cabin altitude exceeds 13,500 ft, autopilot engaged
- Function: Places aircraft in 35° left bank for approximately 48 seconds to turn 90°
- Descent: At VMO-10 until reaching 15,000 ft
- Pilot still must: Manually deploy speedbrakes/spoilers and retard throttles for max descent rate
The Canceled Citation IV
In 1988-1990, Cessna studied a 4 ft stretch, longer range "Citation IV" to better compete with the BAe 125. Specifications would have included:
- $8.8M list price: Announced October 1989 NBAA Atlanta
- Wingspan increased 10%: 58.7 ft (17.9 m)
- Wing area up almost 25%: Substantial enlargement
- Garrett TFE731-4s or P&W PW300s: New engine options considered
- Fuel capacity: 7,330 → 8,700 lbs
- MTOW: 24,000 lbs
- Cabin: 38 in (97 cm) longer
- Range: 2,710 nm transcontinental
- First flight planned: Early 1992
- Certification planned: End of 1992
- Service entry planned: Mid-1993
- Type cert designation: Would have been Model 670
In 1990, Cessna cancelled the Citation IV to offer the cheaper Citation VI and more capable Citation VII instead. No Citation IV prototype was ever completed.
Cabin Interior
The Citation III cabin features Cessna's distinctive stand-up midsize design:
| Cabin Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Cabin Length | ~19 ft |
| Cabin Width | ~5'8" |
| Cabin Height | ~5'8" (stand-up - first Cessna midsize) |
Seating Configurations
- Standard 8-Passenger: Various executive layouts
- Up to 13 Maximum: High-density with belted lavatory
- Full-width aft lavatory option: Available (carried to VII)
- Galley equipment options: Various
Cabin Features
- First stand-up Cessna midsize: 5'8" headroom
- Cross-section used in Citation X, Excel, Sovereign: Proven platform
- 9.3 psi pressurization: Standard for class
- Stand-up cabin: First Cessna midsize
Performance
Speed and Range
| Performance Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Cruise Speed | 473 ktas (Mach 0.83) |
| Long-Range Cruise | 400 ktas |
| Range (NBAA IFR) | 2,348 to 2,385 nm |
| Service Ceiling | FL510 (51,000 ft) certified |
The Citation III's 473 ktas max cruise was the fastest Cessna in production at its 1983 introduction.
Engines
Two Garrett (now Honeywell) TFE731-3B turbofan engines, each producing 3,650 lbf of thrust (7,300 lbf total). The TFE731 family was one of the most successful small business jet engine programs, with the TFE731-3B variant powering many 1980s business jets.
Operating Costs
| Cost Item | Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Fuel (~210 gph) | $1,470 to $1,890 |
| Engine Reserve | $400 |
| Airframe Maintenance | $650 (older airframe parts) |
| Misc Variable | $300 |
| Total Variable Cost | ~$2,820 to $3,240/hr |
Annual operating budget at 450 hours: approximately $2.5 to $2.8 million all-in.
Charter rates: $4,500 to $5,500 per hour.
Pricing
| Year Range | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Citation III (1983-1992) Pre-Owned | $500,000 to $1,500,000 |
Original new price (1989): $6,125,000.
Mission Profile
Best fit profiles:
- Aviation Enthusiasts: Foundational Cessna 650-series platform
- Specialty Operators: Stand-up midsize at very attainable cost
- Pilot Owners Wanting Cessna Pedigree: 51,000 ft FL510 capability
- Vintage Charter Operations: Distinctive Cessna heritage
Less suited if:
- You need modern integrated avionics out of the box
- You require single-pilot certification (not certified)
- You want robust factory product support
- You need fuel-efficient operations (older TFE731 generation)
- You want long-range modern transcontinental range
Pros and Cons
What the Citation III Does Well
- Foundational Cessna 650-series platform
- 473 ktas (Mach 0.83) cruise (fastest Cessna at introduction)
- FL510 (51,000 ft) certified service ceiling
- 2,350 nm range
- T-tail and swept supercritical wing
- First stand-up Cessna midsize
- Fuselage cross section used across multiple later Cessnas
- Novel Emergency Descent Mode safety feature
- 202 aircraft fleet (still meaningful for support)
Tradeoffs to Understand
- Two-pilot operation required
- Production ended 1992 (30+ year old airframes)
- Older TFE731-3B engines (less efficient than modern generations)
- Cabin design dated by current standards
- Avionics typically retrofitted (varies by aircraft)
- Limited cabin pressurization vs modern jets
Frequently Asked Questions
What is unique about the Citation III?
The Citation III was Cessna's first stand-up cabin midsize business jet, first Cessna with a swept supercritical wing, and first Cessna with T-tail design. Its fuselage cross section was later used in the Citation X, Excel, Sovereign, XLS, XLS+, and XLS Gen2, making it one of the most-used cross sections in business aviation history.
How is the Citation III different from the Citation VI?
The Citation VI (1991) was a cost-reduced budget variant of the Citation III with the same TFE731-3B engines and airframe, but austere cabin furnishings to reduce price. Only 39 were built before production ended in May 1995 as customers preferred either pre-owned Citation IIIs or the more capable Citation VII.
How is the Citation III different from the Citation VII?
The Citation VII (1992) was the upgraded successor with TFE731-4R-2S engines (4,080 lbf vs III's 3,650 lbf) and DEEC digital electronic engine controls, improved cabin soundproofing, trailing link landing gear, and higher MTOW of 22,450 lbs. The VII was $1.65 million more than the III when new.
How many Citation IIIs were built?
A total of 202 Citation III aircraft were built during the 1983-1992 production run. Combined with 39 Citation VI and 119 Citation VII (per some sources, or 113 per others), total Citation III/VI/VII family production was 360 aircraft.
Is the Citation III single-pilot certified?
No. The Citation III requires two pilots.
How far can a Citation III fly?
The Citation III has a maximum NBAA IFR range of 2,348 to 2,385 nautical miles.
What was the Citation IV?
The Citation IV was a proposed 1989 stretched/longer-range variant of the Citation III, would have been certified as Model 670 with 2,710 nm range, but was canceled in 1990 before any prototype was completed. Cessna instead offered the cheaper Citation VI and more capable Citation VII.
What is the Emergency Descent Mode?
The Citation III's Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) is an automatic safety feature that activates in case of uncontrolled cabin decompression. When the aircraft is above 34,275 ft, cabin altitude exceeds 13,500 ft, and autopilot is engaged, the system automatically places the aircraft in a 35° left bank for ~48 seconds to turn 90°, then descends at VMO-10 until reaching 15,000 ft. The pilot must still manually deploy speedbrakes/spoilers and retard throttles for maximum descent rate.
The Bottom Line
The Cessna Citation III is the foundational platform that established Cessna as a serious contender in midsize jets, introducing the swept supercritical wing, T-tail, and stand-up cabin to the Cessna midsize lineup. The fuselage cross section pioneered by the Citation III has been used across the Citation X, Excel, Sovereign, XLS family, and continues in production in the XLS Gen2. At current pre-owned pricing of $500K to $1.5M, the Citation III is one of the most attainable stand-up midsize jets ever, though operating economics, parts supply, and dated avionics require careful evaluation.
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Talk to a Quantum Jets broker for Citation III market intelligence and pre-buy diligence.
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Related Aircraft Guides:
- Citation VI: Budget Variant
- Citation VII: Upgraded Successor
- Citation X: Modern Successor (Citation III Fuselage)
- Citation Excel: Modern Successor (Citation III Fuselage)
- Citation Sovereign: Modern Successor (Citation III Fuselage)
Production of the Citation III ended in 1992. All acquisitions are pre-owned. Textron Aviation provides parts/support for legacy Citations. Specifications accurate as of 2026.