White Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 test article on the runway after a Garmin Emergency Autoland test landing

Cessna Citation Gen3 Jets Pass 1,220 Test Hours on Road to Autoland

by Connor Kerr | Oct 20, 2026 | Aviation World, News | 0 comments

Somewhere over Kansas, a white Cessna jet has been flying itself to the ground on purpose. Textron Aviation test pilots have been pressing the button that every owner hopes never to touch, and watching the airplane pick an airport, talk to air traffic control and roll to a stop on its own.

On Monday 19 October 2026, Textron Aviation said its three next-generation Citation light jets, the CJ4 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and M2 Gen3, have now flown more than 1,220 combined flight-test hours toward Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. All three carry Garmin Emergency Autoland, and Textron says the CJ4 Gen3 is expected to be the first light jet to market with it.

The headline number is lopsided. The CJ4 Gen3 accounts for nearly 1,100 of those hours, while the two younger programmes only joined the test fleet this summer.

Quick Facts

Announced: 19 October 2026, Textron Aviation, Wichita
Combined test time: More than 1,220 flight-test hours
Citation CJ4 Gen3: Nearly 1,100 hours on two test articles
Citation CJ3 Gen3: More than 60 hours, first flight July 2026
Citation M2 Gen3: More than 75 hours, first flight June 2026
Common feature: Garmin Emergency Autoland on all three
Targets: CJ4 Gen3 certification expected in 2026; CJ3 Gen3 and M2 Gen3 entry into service expected in 2027 (Textron, July 2026)

Where the Three Programmes Stand

The CJ4 Gen3 is furthest along. Textron says its two test articles have recently been through hot-weather and electrical-system certification testing. In July the company reported more than 880 hours on the type, so the jet has added roughly 200 hours over the summer.

The CJ3 Gen3 is the newcomer. Its prototype first flew from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in July, a nearly two-hour sortie that reached 41,000 feet. It has now passed 60 hours and is working through landing and braking performance.

Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen3 prototype in Textron flight-test markings lifting off from the runway at Wichita — The Citation CJ3 Gen3 prototype on its first flight in July 2026. With it airborne, all three Gen3 light jets were in flight test. Photo: Textron Aviation

The smallest of the three, the M2 Gen3, first flew in June and has logged more than 75 hours. Its next step is the most interesting one: Textron says the programme is nearing the start of simulated en route emergency activations, including airport selection and autoland to a full stop.

Textron did not repeat its timelines in Monday's release. In July it said the CJ4 Gen3 was heading for FAA certification during 2026, and that both the CJ3 Gen3 and M2 Gen3 were expected to enter service in 2027.

“The Citation CJ4 Gen3 and Citation M2 Gen3 flight test milestones reflect the disciplined progress our teams are making as we bring next-generation capability to the Citation light jet lineup.”

Chris Hearne — senior vice president, Engineering & Programs, Textron Aviation, July 2026

How Garmin Emergency Autoland Works

Emergency Autoland is built for one scenario: the only pilot is no longer flying. It can be triggered by a passenger pressing a dedicated button, or automatically if the avionics sense the pilot has stopped interacting with the flight deck. Once it starts, the system takes over the whole problem.

It uses the aircraft's navigation and weather data to choose the nearest suitable runway, weighing factors such as runway length, wind and storms. It squawks the emergency transponder code, broadcasts to air traffic control and nearby traffic, flies the approach, lowers gear and flaps, lands, brakes to a stop and shuts down the engine. Screens in the cabin tell passengers what is happening and how to get out once the airplane has stopped.

The system is not new to single-engine aircraft. Garmin's Autoland was first certified in May 2020 on the Piper M600/SLS, which Piper markets with its HALO safety system, and in August 2020 it was approved on the Daher TBM 940. Adapting it to a twin-engine Citation is detailed work: in July, Textron said its team was focused on runway centreline tracking and brake tuning for Autoland as M2 Gen3 testing got under way.

Textron Aviation flight test pilots deliberately trigger Garmin Emergency Autoland on a Citation CJ4 Gen3 test article.

In September, Textron published footage from those trials. Flight test pilots Corey Eckhart and James Bearman deliberately started the Autoland sequence so engineers could watch the system handle navigation, radio calls and the landing.

Two Textron flight test pilots in the cockpit of a Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 test article with Garmin displays — Flight test pilots Corey Eckhart and James Bearman during a Garmin Emergency Autoland test on a Citation CJ4 Gen3 test article. Photo: Textron Aviation

“Watching an autonomous system take control of the airplane and safely guide it to a landing in an emergency is remarkable.”

Corey Eckhart — flight test pilot, Textron Aviation, September 2026

What Gen3 Changes

Autoland is the headline, but each jet gets more than one change. The CJ4 Gen3, the largest Citation in the light-jet segment and certified for single-pilot operation, moves to Garmin's G3000 PRIME avionics. Textron quotes an expected maximum range of 2,165 nautical miles, a maximum cruise speed of 451 knots true airspeed and seating for up to 11.

The CJ3 Gen3 brings Autoland to the existing Garmin G3000 platform and adds a customisable cabin with swivel seats, RGB accent lighting and a naturally lit lavatory. Textron gives it a 2,040-nautical-mile maximum range and standard seating for up to 10.

The M2 Gen3 is the entry-level jet of the three. It gets a refreshed interior with ambient lighting, illuminated cupholders, wireless charging and an optional folding side-facing seat that doubles as cargo space, with a maximum range of 1,550 nautical miles and seats for up to eight.

Cessna Citation M2 Gen3 light jet climbing against a clear blue sky — The Citation M2 Gen3, the smallest of the trio, first flew in June 2026 and will soon begin simulated emergency Autoland activations. Photo: Textron Aviation

Why It Matters

Light jets like these are often flown by a single pilot, frequently the owner. That is exactly the case where a medical emergency at altitude leaves nobody else up front, and where a button in the cabin changes the outcome.

Autoland has spread from the Piper M600 and TBM 940 to more turboprops, including the Pilatus PC-12 PRO and the Epic E1000 AX. Textron now wants to put it into the light-jet market first, and with nearly 1,100 hours on the CJ4 Gen3, the finish line for that race is in sight.

Sources: Textron Aviation (media.txtav.com, 19 October, 25 September, 29 July and 21 July 2026), FLYING Magazine, D.O.M. Magazine, AOPA, AVweb, Wikipedia (Autoland; Cessna CitationJet/M2)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many flight-test hours have the Cessna Citation Gen3 jets flown?

Textron Aviation said on 19 October 2026 that the Citation CJ4 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and M2 Gen3 programmes had accumulated more than 1,220 combined flight-test hours. The CJ4 Gen3 accounts for nearly 1,100 hours on two test articles, the CJ3 Gen3 for more than 60 and the M2 Gen3 for more than 75.

When will the Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 be certified?

In July 2026 Textron Aviation said the Citation CJ4 Gen3 was expected to receive FAA certification during 2026. Its October 2026 update gave no new date, but reported nearly 1,100 flight-test hours, including hot-weather and electrical-system certification testing, and said it is expected to be the first light jet to market with Garmin Emergency Autoland.

When will the Citation CJ3 Gen3 and M2 Gen3 enter service?

Textron Aviation said in July 2026 that both the Citation CJ3 Gen3 and the Citation M2 Gen3 were expected to enter service in 2027. The M2 Gen3 first flew in June 2026 and the CJ3 Gen3 in July 2026, and by October they had logged more than 75 and more than 60 flight-test hours respectively.

How does Garmin Emergency Autoland work?

Garmin Emergency Autoland is activated by a cabin button or automatically when the pilot stops interacting with the avionics. It selects the nearest suitable runway using navigation and weather data, squawks an emergency code, talks to air traffic control, flies the approach, lands, brakes to a full stop and shuts down the engine while informing passengers.

Which aircraft first had Garmin Autoland?

The Piper M600/SLS, marketed with Piper's HALO safety system, was the first aircraft certified with Garmin Autoland, receiving FAA approval in May 2020. The Daher TBM 940 followed with EASA and FAA approval reported in August 2020. Textron says the Citation CJ4 Gen3 is expected to be the first light jet to market with the capability.

What is new on the Cessna Citation Gen3 jets?

All three Citation Gen3 light jets, the CJ4 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and M2 Gen3, add Garmin Emergency Autoland. The CJ4 Gen3 also moves to Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics, the CJ3 Gen3 gets a customisable cabin with swivel seats and RGB lighting, and the M2 Gen3 gets a refreshed interior with wireless charging and USB-C ports.