The Citation III is a mid-size business jet built by Cessna that seats up to eight passengers and cruises at 0.80 Mach

The Cessna Citation III entered production in 1979 and remained in service through the mid-1990s. It was designed as a step up from Cessna's smaller Citation models, offering longer range, faster cruise speed, and a pressurized cabin that could climb to 43,000 feet. The aircraft measures 52 feet long with a 53-foot wingspan and uses two turbofan engines — typically Garrett TFE731 or Williams FJ44 engines depending on the model year and any upgrades.

If you are looking at used Citation IIIs on the market today, you are buying an aircraft that is 30 to 45 years old. That age matters for maintenance costs, parts availability, and resale value. The Citation III was popular enough that the used market still exists, but it is smaller and more specialized than the market for newer mid-size jets.

Key Takeaways

  • The Citation III seats up to eight people and has a maximum range of roughly 2,000 nautical miles, making it suitable for transcontinental trips but not transoceanic flights.
  • Operating costs for a Citation III run between $3,500 and $5,500 per flight hour when you include fuel, crew, maintenance, and hangar, depending on how much the aircraft has been maintained.
  • Used Citation IIIs typically sell between $1.5 million and $3 million, with price driven heavily by total flight hours, engine condition, and whether the avionics have been updated.
  • The aircraft requires two pilots and a type rating specific to the Citation III, so crew training and certification add to your operating budget.
  • Maintenance reserves and inspections required by the FAA become more expensive as the airframe ages, so a pre-purchase inspection by a Citation-experienced mechanic is essential.

Cabin size and range compared to other mid-size jets

The Citation III cabin is 17 feet long, 5 feet 4 inches wide, and 6 feet tall — tight for eight people on a long flight, but workable for four to six passengers in comfort. The pressurized cabin maintains 8,000 feet equivalent altitude at cruise, which reduces fatigue on longer trips. Maximum range is approximately 2,000 nautical miles with reserves, which means you can fly from New York to Denver or Los Angeles to Chicago without refueling, but not coast-to-coast with a full passenger load and fuel reserves.

Compared to the Citation II (the model it replaced), the Citation III is faster and has better high-altitude performance. Compared to the Citation IV and V that came after it, the Citation III has smaller engines and lower fuel capacity, so it burns less fuel per hour but cannot carry as much payload or fly as far. If you need to move eight people regularly across the country, a Citation III will require a fuel stop on some routes. If you typically fly four to six people on regional trips, the range is usually sufficient.

Engine options and what they mean for operating costs

Most Citation IIIs came with Garrett TFE731-3 turbofan engines, which produce 3,500 pounds of thrust each. Some aircraft were retrofitted with Williams FJ44 engines, which are newer, more fuel-efficient, and have longer time-between-overhaul intervals. The engine choice matters directly to your fuel bill and maintenance schedule.

A Citation III with original Garrett engines burns roughly 200 gallons of jet fuel per hour at cruise. With FJ44 engines, that drops to around 180 gallons per hour — a 10 percent savings that compounds over hundreds of flight hours per year. Engine overhauls for Garrett engines run $400,000 to $600,000 per engine and are due every 3,500 to 5,000 hours. FJ44 overhauls cost more upfront ($700,000 to $900,000 per engine) but are not due until 5,000 to 7,000 hours. When you are shopping for a used Citation III, ask the seller which engines are installed and how many hours remain before the next overhaul.

Maintenance, inspections, and the cost of aging airframes

The FAA requires all turbine-powered aircraft to undergo an annual inspection and a 100-hour inspection (or annual, whichever comes first). For a Citation III, the annual inspection typically costs $8,000 to $15,000 and takes one to two weeks. Every five years, the aircraft needs a more detailed inspection called a 5-year inspection, which costs $25,000 to $50,000 and can take three to four weeks.

Beyond scheduled inspections, older Citation IIIs often need unplanned maintenance. Pressurization system leaks, air-conditioning failures, and avionics failures are common on aircraft in this age range. Budget 10 to 15 percent of your annual operating budget for unexpected repairs. If you purchase a Citation III with 8,000 total flight hours, you are looking at an airframe that has been in service for 35 to 40 years. Corrosion, cracked components, and worn seals become more likely. A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who specializes in Citation aircraft is not optional — it is the only way to know what you are actually buying.

Avionics upgrades and their effect on value and usability

Citation IIIs built in the 1980s came with analog instruments and older navigation systems. Many have been upgraded over the years with glass cockpits (digital displays), modern autopilots, and current GPS and weather systems. An aircraft with a modern glass cockpit is easier to fly, safer in bad weather, and more valuable on the resale market. A full glass cockpit retrofit (such as a Garmin G1000 system) costs $300,000 to $500,000 and takes several months.

If you are buying a Citation III with original 1980s avionics, factor in the cost of an upgrade if you plan to fly in instrument conditions or at night. If the aircraft already has a modern glass cockpit, that is a major selling point and should be reflected in the price. Ask the seller for maintenance records showing when avionics were installed and whether they have been updated since.

Crew requirements and type-rating costs

The Citation III requires two pilots and both must hold a type rating specific to the Citation III. A type rating is a certification from the FAA that proves a pilot has trained on that specific aircraft type and can operate it safely. The type-rating course takes one to two weeks and costs $8,000 to $12,000 per pilot. If you are hiring crew, you will need to budget for their training before they can fly your aircraft.

If you are the owner-pilot, you will need to complete the type-rating course yourself. The course includes classroom instruction, simulator time, and at least one flight with an examiner. After certification, the FAA requires recurrent training every 24 months — a one-week refresher course that costs $4,000 to $6,000. These are not optional costs; they are legal requirements for operating the aircraft.

Purchase price, depreciation, and resale value

Used Citation IIIs sell for $1.5 million to $3 million depending on total flight hours, engine condition, avionics, and maintenance history. An aircraft with 6,000 total hours and original engines will be cheaper than one with 8,000 hours and recently overhauled engines. A Citation III with a modern glass cockpit will command a premium over one with analog instruments.

The Citation III market is smaller than the market for newer Citation models (Citation X, Citation XLS) or competing jets from other manufacturers (Learjet, Hawker). That means resale can take longer and the pool of buyers is narrower. If you purchase a Citation III, plan to own it for at least five to seven years. Selling within two to three years usually means taking a loss because you have not had time to recover the transaction costs and initial depreciation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Citation III fly from the East Coast to Hawaii?

No. The maximum range of roughly 2,000 nautical miles is not enough to reach Hawaii from the mainland. You would need to refuel in California or use a larger jet with greater range. The Citation III is designed for transcontinental flights within North America, not transoceanic missions.

What is the difference between a Citation III and a Citation IISP?

The Citation IISP (Special Performance) is a later variant with upgraded engines, better avionics, and improved performance. It cruises slightly faster and has a longer range. If you see both on the market, the IISP will be newer, more expensive, and cheaper to operate per flight hour.

How many people can actually sit comfortably on a long flight?

The cabin seats eight, but on a flight longer than three hours, four to six passengers is more realistic. Eight people in a Citation III cabin for six hours is cramped. If you regularly need to move eight people long distances, a larger jet like a Citation IV or V is a better fit.

Do I need to own a hangar, or can I park it outside?

You can park outside, but it accelerates corrosion and UV damage to the paint and interior. Hangar costs run $1,500 to $3,000 per month depending on location. Most Citation III owners budget for a hangar as part of their operating costs.

What happens if an engine fails during flight?

The Citation III can fly on one engine, though performance is reduced. You will lose altitude and speed, but the aircraft is designed to reach an airport safely. Both pilots train extensively on single-engine procedures as part of type-rating training and recurrent courses.