This article first appeared on Medium.com
The Fastest Private Jet in the World
Meet the Cessna Citation X, the only speeding citation a business traveler wouldn’t mind receiving.
Cessna’s premier business jet has more than earned its position as one of the all-time favorite private jets in business and luxury aviation.
The Cessna Citation 10 is famously known as the world’s fastest private jet, and the 3rd fastest civilian aircraft ever produced.
Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it’s capable of reaching top speeds of up to 690–705 mph (Mach 0.90–0.92); passengers can enjoy a flight range of 3,700 miles at normal cruising speeds of 525 knots (600 mph).
The Citation X the fastest way for executive travelers and luxury jetsetters to reach their destinations, traveling at an approximate rate of 1 mile every 6 seconds, and shaving a full 30 minutes off of cross country flights.
It has since relinquished the record to its speedy predecessor, the Cessna Citation X+.
High-Speed Comfort
In addition to impressive performance and range, this super midsize business jet offers a luxurious, well-appointed cabin with seating for up to 8.
A plush interior is highlighted by polished wooden finishes, and exceptional headroom is provided with room to stand and move about the cabin comfortably during a flight.
Additional amenities include a spacious lavatory, a full galley, and a pressurized & heated 82 cubic foot baggage compartment for your luggage, golf clubs, ski equipment, or whatever else you want to bringing.
History of the Cessna Citation X
Announced at NBAA 1990, the X came from a long line of successful business aircraft, but despite Cessna’s long history of manufacturing business jets, this was in many ways a completely new animal.
One of the main goals American-based Cessna Aircraft Company had going into the design of the X was to change the company’s perception from producing business jets that were slower than the competition.
This resulted in Cessna, to the surprise of many business aviation aficionados, to create the fastest private jet ever made at the time.
Their achievements didn’t go unnoticed, either: the C750 received the prestigious Collier Trophy in its debut year, recognized for its substantial advancements in aviation & aerospace technology.
The Citation 10, officially the Cessna Model 750 or C750, earned its FAA FAR Part 25 certification on June 3, 1996, followed by FAA supplemental type certification in 2009.
It was produced from 1996 to 2012, when it was upgraded to the Citation X+. This broke the previous speed record, taking its top speed from Mach .92 to Mach .935 — thats 717 mph, or 1153 km/h for all you land lubbers out there.
The first model was purchased by golf legend and iced tea icon Arnold Palmer. Textron Aviation, makers of Cessna Aircraft, plan to end production on the Citation X in 2018.
A total of 338 planes were produced, with 314 X’s and 24 X+’s delivered over its 22 year lifetime.
Built for Performance From the Ground Up
Although it looks similar to its predecessors, it’s almost entirely composed of new parts. The wing, tail, tail cone, gear, and systems were all designed from scratch, and not based on existing Cessna aircraft.
It’s also the first Cessna aircraft to use Rolls-Royce engines, and fully integrated Honeywell Primus 2000 avionics.
The Citation X has the same fuselage diameter as the Citations VI and VII; however, the wing attachment to the fuselage is different from the attachment on previous Citations.
The pressure bulkhead is also similar to previous designs, and parts-sharing is limited to some cockpit controls, the windshield, and the tail light bulb.
X Gon’ Give It to Ya
Time. Quality. Cost.
You’re only supposed to be able to pick two, right?
Not in this case.
Executive travelers looking for speed, luxury, and reliability in the same aircraft, look no further than Cessna’s flagship business aircraft.
Speed and reliability don’t usually go together, but no one told this to Cessna.
In fact, as of this article, all of the Citation X private jets have taken off & landed around 2 million times, with a combined flight distance equaling 3 round-trips to the sun, all while maintaining the highest average duration in the air in the entire Citation fleet.
And, like speed and reliability, Cessna is in the dark about fuel-efficiency suffering at the cost of performance — thanks to upgraded Rolls-Royce engines and extraordinary aerodynamics, the Citation 10 is one of the most fuel-efficient business jets in its class.
Citation X Specifications
What makes this one of the most sought-after private planes in almost every charter market? It’s the fastest business jet in history, saving passengers a lot of time compared to other conventional business jets.
Reaching a top speed of just over 700 mph with a cruise speed of 604 mph at 41,000 feet above sea level, the Citation X makes short work out of cross country and transoceanic flights.
The Citation X’s 23' cabin length provides ample room for 8/9 passengers and two flight crew members. These super midsize jets also provide stand-up cabin space so you can comfortably move during your flight.
Specifications & Price
- One-way Hourly Charter Rate: $6,500 — $8,000
- Round-Trip Hourly Charter Rate: $5,500 — $6,600
- MSRP: $24,000,000
- Avg. Cruising Speed: 474 knots (547 mph)
- Maximum Speed: 690 mph (0.90 mach)
- Maximum Range: 3,216 nautical miles
- Engines: Rolls-Royce AE3007C1 turbofan
Exterior Dimensions
- Height: 19' 3"(5.87 m)
- Length: 72' 4"(22.04 m)
- Wingspan: 63' 11"(19.48 m)
Interior Dimensions
- Height: 68" (1.73 m)
- Width: 66" (1.68 m)
- Length: 23' 11"(7.29 m)
- Standard Seating Capacity: 9
- Baggage Capacity: 82 cubic feet (2.3 cubic m)
Fly in a Citation X | Sales, Charters, & Jet Cards
Want to enjoy a private flight inside the Cessna Citation X? Private jet operators have been collecting C750s for years, and there are several pre-owned aircraft available.
After an incredible successful 22 year production run, the Citation X is readily available whether you’re looking to buy, rent, or catch a ride. Which is your best bet?
Purchase
Pre-owned models can range anywhere between $2 million to $6 million (and up), while the newer Citation X+ can go for anywhere between $10-$18 million depending on year of make, amenities, and more.
If you plan on flying private more than 50 hours annually, and you’re using private jets out of necessity more than luxury, then purchasing a Citation X is a great solution to your private air travel.
What are the advantages? Owning a Citation X means getting from point A to point B in the fastest way available. You can also find a charter operator to manage and market your plane while it’s not in use, helping to recover ownership costs.
Disadvantages? In addition to the price tag, the cost of ownership can get quite expensive, with annual costs totaling upwards of $300,000 annually.
Jet Card Membership
If you fly anywhere between 25 and 50 hours a year, then a jet card could be the ideal solution. Many operators and brokers offer jet cards on specific aircraft, including the Citation X.
Most often purchased in 25 and 50 hour increments, jet card memberships allow you to purchase the right size card for your or your business without the steep cost of ownership.
What are the advantages? Private jet card memberships lock in hourly rates and guarantee availability, which is great if you’re not located near a private jet hub. You’ll also be able to flash around your fancy jet card at parties and social gatherings, if you’re into that sort of thing (hint: a lot of them are. don’t be that guy.)
Disadvantages? If you live in a region with high amounts of private jet traffic; New York, LA, DC, Houston, etc; getting locked into hourly rates might not be the most cost-effective to fly private, especially given the huge availability on private planes in those areas. Some jet cards also include a membership fee, which can run quite high.
Private Jet Charter
If you plan on flying private around 25 hours a year or less, on-demand charter is the best way to go. You can do this one of two ways: contact an operator, or contact a broker.
Contacting an operator gives you direct access to Citation X’s within their fleet, but availability may be limited going to one charter operator at a time. Reaching out to a jet charter broker allows them to compare costs from all of the Citation X’s across the charter market, locating the best deal by comparing apples to apples.
What are the advantages? Chartering on-demand will always cost less since you’re avoiding the heavy upfront costs of ownership and jet card memberships. Private jet charters also provide the opportunity to find an empty leg flight, which can cut the cost of your flight by up to 50 percent or more.
