Cessna Citation Sovereign+: Buyer’s and Investor’s Guide
The new Cessna Citation Sovereign+
Excellent short-field performance, cabin comfort, low acquisition cost and a truly worldwide support network make the Cessna Citation Sovereign+ a strong competitor in the mid-size market.
A twin-engine mid-size business jet capable of flying 3,000nm, the Sovereign+ is an upgrade to the original Citation Sovereign that began customer deliveries in 2004, and will look to build on the success of the originals 340+ sales.
The Sovereign+ features updated engines, a new Garmin avionics suite, and redesigned supercritical wings that feature winglets for the first time in the family.
Flying
The Sovereign+ might not be the fastest aircraft in its class, or have the furthest range, but fully loaded it can still take you and 5 of your closest friends 3,000 nm at 458 kts. That’s enough to reach all parts of Europe from London, all of the continental US and Canada / Mexico from New York, and all of China from Beijing.
Short field performance is where the Sovereign+ really shines, needing almost 800 ft less runway than its closest competitors to get airborne, which means that the aircraft can operate from smaller airports. Landing distance at Maximum Landing Weight is impressive as well, needing only 2,650 ft to come to a standstill.
Travelling
The Sovereign+ does not have the largest cabin diameter in the mid-size aircraft sector, but despite this the original Sovereign has been praised by operators for its level of comfort. Cessna have redesigned the seats in the Sovereign+, introducing recessed armrests to give more room in the isle, and a new ClairityTM Cabin Management System is introduced that integrates with smartphones and tablets,and includes airborne Internet so that you can remain in contact mid flight.
The Sovereign+ in a standard double club layout
Owning
With 340+ original Citation Sovereign’s built and the Cessna name behind the aircraft, the purchase of a Sovereign+ remains low risk.
Cessna have also improved on the warranties for the Sovereign+, with five years or 3,000 hours being standard for more of the Cessna manufactured parts and Garmin standard and optional avionics, and a two year warranty across all interior furnishings and paintwork.
It’s hard to get excited about a mid sized aircraft with mid range specifications, and on the surface a 150nm range boost doesn’t seem significant, but the added range does allow the aircraft to be a true transcontinental aircraft capable of crossing from one end of the US to the other without the need for stopping for fuel.
The Cessna pedigree and worldwide support network will be attractive to any potential buyers, especially those making their first jet purchase, and with a price point $4 million less than some of its competitors the Cessna Citation Sovereign+ shouldn’t struggle to pick up new customers.
Hard Facts
Range: 3,452 miles/5,556 kms/3,000 nautical miles
Typical passengers: 8-9 (typical), up to 12 (high density)
Typical crew: 2
Cabin space: 459 ft3 / 13.00 m3
Maximum speed: 527 mph/848 kmph/mach 0.80
Competitor aircraft: Learjet 85, Challenger 350, Citation X, Legacy 450, Legacy 500, & Gulfstream G150, G280.
Total cost for fully fitted new jet: $18.2 million
First delivery: 2013
World fleet: 7 (as at January 2014)
Fractional operators include: None (as at January 2014)
Aircraft manufacturer: Cessna
Engine manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney Canada
Engine type (number): PW306D (2)
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