The Citation Sovereign is Cessna’s version of a desirable business jet: comfortable, high-performing, and economical. Its strongest feature is its range: with coast-to-coast capabilities like large jets, while retaining features that make midsize private jets so advantageous. Take off is just under 4000 feet, unmatched by other midsized jets, and able to cruise at around .75 Mach (458 knots).
The cabin is 24.5 feet long and can hold anywhere between eight and twelve 180° swivel seats. The cabin is tall enough that many passengers can stand up under the 5.7 foot ceiling. Baggage space is the largest of comparable private jets, with 124 cubic feet (about 1000 pounds), whereas the competing Hawker 400 XP has only 48, the Challenger 300 only 51.
More storage space is available in the cabin, with a closet large enough to hold full-sized garment bags. The spacious bathroom permits passengers to change clothes inside with complete privacy (due to the double sliding hard doors). A non-fluorescent lighting system increases passenger comfort and cuts down on production costs. The lighting system uses dimmable LEDs, with a 100,000 hours life cycle. Cabin and cockpit can be cooled before starting the engines by using APU.
Pilots love these jets just as much as passengers. This series was designed to simplify flight as much as possible. Systems make sense, flight operations are uncomplicated, resulting in consistently safer, smoother flights.
Most Sovereign start up functions are automatic, so if there is a malfunction while the engine is starting, it automatically shuts down. Stall control technology is so sophisticated that pilots say the Sovereign could right itself in the event of a stall with no pilot involvement.
Trailing link landing gears are used for smooth taxiing and landings, with all main landing gears having double wheels using an exceptional carbon-carbon brake system, all designed for more than 300 landings. An additional variable gearing mechanism constantly changes flaps to their best angle for flight, usually between 15° and 25° , resulting in greatly reduced pitch change. The Citation Sovereign was the first of any business jet to use the variable gearing mechanism, setting itself apart from competing private jets.
The one area where Cessna decided not to cut costs and simplify was probably the most vital portion of the airplane: the wing. The Sovereign moves from less expensive, easier-to-produce straight wings used on earlier models in favor of a wing with a 16 degree leading edge sweep and a 12.7 degree sweep at the quarter cord. This wing design greatly improves airflow and lift capabilities, resulting in the Sovereign’s cruise speeds of .75 Mach.
Sovereign uses 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C turbofan engines, providing 5,600 lbs of thrust each on takeoff. The engines were flat-rated to minimize noise. The Sovereign has two jet fuel pump systems, a standard engine-driven one and another DC-powered system for backup and use during startup procedures.
Safety was a top priority for while designing the Sovereign. Everything from its simple flying procedures to its many standard emergency systems are designed to prevent accidents and make handling simpler. A 76 foot oxygen system comes standard, with an additional 76 foot system available. It is certified to the safety standards of both FAR part 25 and JAR 25.
For a jet on the market since 1994, the Sovereign has done very well, pilots and clients love its versatility, its range, its simple systems, and its comfort. A private jet that can fly directly from California to Hawaii in four and a half hours without breaking the bank has to be popular.
