Cessna Citation III vs Iai Westwind II
The IAI Westwind and Citation midsize jets compare an older wide-cabin straight-wing twin against the Cessna midsize line.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna Citation III
- For sale now
- 11
- Model years available
- 1983–1989
Iai Westwind II
- For sale now
- 6
- Model years available
- 1980–1986
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Cessna Citation III | IAI Westwind II |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $1,103,750 – $1,171,250 | $368,750 – $747,685 |
| Category | Midsize Jet | Midsize Jet |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 10 | 8 |
| Cruise Speed | 431 kts (798 km/h) | 390 kts (722 km/h) |
| Range | 2,054 nm (3,804 km) | 2,390 nm (4,426 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 51,000 ft (15,545 m) | 45,000 ft (13,716 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 22,000 lbs (9,979 kg) | 23,500 lbs (10,660 kg) |
| Useful Load | 5,200 lbs (2,359 kg) | 6,500 lbs (2,948 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 800.0 gal (3028 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 210.0 GPH (795 L/h) | 200.0 GPH (757 L/h) |
| TBO | 4,000 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $350,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $350,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $2,800 | — |
| Engines | 2 x Turbofan | 2 x Turbofan |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna Citation III
Fuel$1,155/hr
Variable$2,800/hr
Annual Fixed$350,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$910,000/yr
IAI Westwind II
Fuel$1,100/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna Citation III or IAI Westwind II?
Bottom line: Choose the Citation for support and resale; choose the Westwind for a roomy cabin at low acquisition cost (older, support-dependent). Citation = support; Westwind = cabin/value.
Pick the Citation III if…
- More seats — 10 vs 8.
- Faster cruise — 431 kts vs 390 kts.
- Newer design — production from 1983 vs 1979.
- More inventory — 13 listings vs 8.
Pick the Westwind II if…
- Budget matters — from $368,750 vs $1,103,750, you save ~$735,000.
- Longer range — 2390 nm vs 2054 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between the IAI Westwind II and Cessna Citation III?
Era and support. The Citation III (Garrett TFE731-3B, ~473 kt, ~2,300 nm, 8 seats, supercritical wing) was a high-performance mid-size Citation — notably faster than earlier Citations. The IAI Westwind II (Garrett TFE731-3, ~450 kt, ~2,700 nm, 8–10 seats) is the Israeli-designed business jet — slightly slower than the Citation III but with more range.
Citation III or Westwind II — which mid-size?
Both are 1980s-era mid-size jets with similar engines. The Citation III has the Citation service infrastructure; the Westwind II has a smaller but established operator community. For most North American buyers, the Citation III's service depth is the deciding factor; in Israel and the Middle East, the Westwind has stronger support.
What was the Citation III's distinctive design?
The Citation III introduced a supercritical wing to the Citation family — giving it higher cruise speed (~473 kt) than earlier Citations such as the I/II and V. Its TFE731 engines share commonality with the Hawker 700/800 family, providing a broad maintenance base.
How do specs compare?
Citation III: TFE731-3B, 8 seats, ~473 kt, ~2,300 nm. Westwind II: TFE731-3, 8–10 seats, ~450 kt, ~2,700 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate?
Both use TFE731-3 family engines — maintenance cost is broadly comparable. The Citation III's larger operator base keeps labour competition higher. The Westwind II's smaller fleet may mean higher per-event maintenance cost.
Which should I buy?
Citation III for a high-speed mid-size with Citation service infrastructure. Westwind II for slightly more range (~2,700 nm vs ~2,300 nm) and more seats — when the Westwind's smaller support community is acceptable.
Which is better, Cessna Citation III or IAI Westwind II?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Citation III cruises at 431 kts with 2,054 nm range.
The Westwind II cruises at 390 kts with 2,390 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna Citation III: from $1,175,000.
IAI Westwind II: from $475,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna Citation III and IAI Westwind II?
Citation III engine: GARRETT TFE731-3A-100G.
Seats: 10 vs 8.
Cruise: 431 vs 390 kts.
Range: 2054 vs 2390 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Citation III: about $2800/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Citation III: 10 seats / 5,200 lb useful load.
Westwind II: 8 seats / 6,500 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Citation III: 4,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$350,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data