CESSNA CITATION SOVEREIGN

• Passengers 9

Renowned for their short-field performance and cabin comfort, the Cessna Citation Sovereign and the Sovereign+ are incredibly strong competitors in the mid-size private jet market and always deliver a luxurious flight.

About this aircraft

• Following on from the successful Citation Excel, Cessna stretched the aircraft’s fuselage and attached new wings and more powerful engines to produce the Cessna Citation Sovereign. The aircraft was first delivered in 2004.
• The Sovereign typically seats eight or nine passengers. An extra passenger can be seated in the enclosed lavatory if required.
• With a maximum range of 5,270 km, the Sovereign comes close to offering US coast-to-coast range and connects London with the rest of Europe.
• Its baggage capacity rivals the competing Challenger 300, Gulfstream G150 and Falcon 20, with room for six standard-sized golf bags or seven suitcases.
• Cessna began delivering the improved Sovereign+ in 2013.

The Cessna Citation Sovereign is designed to offer superior performance and comfort. Excellent short-field capabilities and almost coast-to-coast range make it one of the most popular midsize jets on the market. The Sovereign+ boasts updated engines, a new Garmin avionics suite and redesigned supercritical wings; the first in the series to feature winglets.

Interior design

The Sovereign’s interior is tall enough for passengers to stand up and features 14 large windows to let in plenty of natural light. A galley at the front of the cabin is equipped with supply cabinets, cold storage and a well-lit food preparation counter. The standard eight-seat configuration features a double club formation with 180-degree swivel seats, while an additional seat can be utilised at the front of the cabin with a reduced galley.

The upgraded Sovereign+ boasts redesigned seats with recessed armrests to give more room in the aisle, as well as a ClairityTM cabin management system that integrates with smartphones and tablets and offers airborne internet. Below are examples of a standard eight- and nine-seat layout on a Cessna Citation Sovereign.

Interesting facts to learn before you fly

• Extra hand luggage can be stored in an accessible closet at the rear of the aircraft.
• The Sovereign+ has modern electrically-operated window shutters.

Technological features

The Cessna Citation Sovereign is fitted with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C turbofan engines, each providing 5,600 lbs of thrust on takeoff. A Honeywell Epic CDS avionics suite features four colour flat-panel LCDs, a digital dual channel autopilot and flight detector, dual long-range navigation systems and dual attitude/heading reference systems.

The Sovereign+ boasts more powerful PW306D engines producing 5,907 lbs each of thrust, allowing the aircraft to take off with just 3,530 feet of runway. Its minimum landing distance is 2,600 feet. The upgraded model features a Garmin G5000 avionics suite.

History

The original Sovereign was announced in 1998 and made its maiden flight in early 2002. FAA certification was awarded in June 2004 and deliveries started in September of the same year. The aircraft was based on the successful Citation Excel with a stretched fuselage, larger wings and more powerful engines. These changes increased its maximum take-off weight and boosted the aircraft’s range compared to its predecessor.

Cessna announced the Sovereign+ in October 2012 and began delivering the upgraded model in December 2013 with an improved flight deck, engines and winglets. Production of the variant ended in 2021.

Manufacturer

Cessna was founded in 1927 by Clyde Cessna and Victor Roos. It was originally called the Cessna-Roos Aircraft Company, but Roos’ name was dropped after he resigned just one month into the partnership and sold back his interest to Cessna.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, the company specialised in producing small piston-powered planes and business jets. After becoming one of the world’s biggest general aviation producers, it was bought by General Dynamics in 1985 and by Textron in 1992. In March 2014, Cessna stopped operating as a subsidiary company and joined Beechcraft and Hawker as one of the three distinct brands produced by Textron Aviation.

Cost

The average cost of a Cessna Citation Sovereign ranges from $7.3 million to $7.5 million (USD). A Sovereign+ starts at $10m for a 2013 model up to $17m for a 2021 edition.

Charter rates

Charter rates for the Cessna Citation Sovereign can vary greatly depending on the length of the journey you have planned and the airports you decide to fly in and out of.

If you’d like to book a private charter flight on the Cessna Citation Sovereign, why not contact our team? For details of other private jets to charter, browse our list of available aircraft.

Wet lease rates

ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) wet lease rates for the Cessna Citation Sovereign can vary depending on the age of the aircraft, length of the lease term, the number of block hours being guaranteed and the average cycle ratio.