Cessna Citation III Aircraft in North Carolina

North Carolina has a strong GA presence with hubs at Raleigh-Durham (RDU/TTA), Charlotte (KCLT/JQF), Asheville (AVL) and Wilmington (ILM). Honda Aircraft Company is based in Greensboro. Diverse terrain ranges from coastal to Appalachian. Year-round flying conditions favourable.

· 10-seat · updated recently

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About the Cessna Citation III

The Cessna Citation III is a midsize business jet produced from 1983 to 1991, featuring a swept wing design and two Honeywell TFE731 engines. Cruising at 431 knots with a range of 2,054 nautical miles, the Citation III was one of the fastest business jets of its era. It appeals to operators seeking midsize speed at affordable pre-owned prices.

Cessna Citation III helicopter for sale

Cessna Citation III Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna Citation III is a 10-seat midsize jet with a cruise speed of 431 kt (798 km/h), a range of 2,054 nm (3,804 km).

Performance
Cruise431 kt (798 km/h)
Max Speed470 kt (870 km/h)
Range2,054 nm (3,804 km)
Service Ceiling51,000 ft (15,545 m)
Engine & Fuel
Fuel Burn210.0 GPH (795 L/h)
TBO4,000 hrs
ICAO TypeC650
Weights & Seats
Seats10
Max Gross Weight22,000 lbs (9,979 kg)
Production1983–1991

Cessna Citation III Listings

No Cessna Citation III currently listed for sale.

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Cessna Citation III Price & Cost

Cessna Citation III Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna Citation III Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (210.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$130,200/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$350,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$2,800/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 4,000 hrs)$350,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.
Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna Citation III

Buying a Cessna Citation III is about the engines, maintenance programs and avionics as much as the airframe. Engine and airframe hourly-maintenance programs transfer with the aircraft and materially change both price and risk.

What to check before buying

  • Engine status & program — time to overhaul/MPI and whether the engines are enrolled on an hourly maintenance program (the biggest value driver on any jet).
  • Airframe program & inspections — scheduled (Doc) inspections, airframe/parts programs and total cycles.
  • Avionics & mandates — a modern glass flight deck plus required mandates (ADS-B, FANS) raise value and capability.
  • Damage history & logbooks — complete, gap-free records and a clean accident history protect resale.
  • Pre-buy inspection — a full pre-buy at a type-authorised service centre before money changes hands.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna Citation III

What are the major maintenance problems on the Cessna Citation III?
The Citation III is maintenance-intensive, especially at high total times. Common issues include sticking HP PAC valves, flap motor failures, strut leakages, lavatory and main door frame corrosion, environmental pack failures, and hydraulic system problems. Parts are becoming scarce as the fleet ages. Aircraft over 12,000 hours should be expected to generate frequent unscheduled maintenance events.
How much does a Citation III cost to operate?
Annual budgets run ~$2.2M at 450 hours, or roughly $4,890/hr all-in. Hourly maintenance averages $515-$520. The Garrett TFE731-3B engines are proven but overhauls are expensive. Pre-owned Citation IIIs trade at steep discounts reflecting their age, but low acquisition cost is offset by high operating costs. The aircraft appeals to operators who need mid-size jet performance and can manage the maintenance burden.
Is a high-time Citation III worth buying?
High-time Citation IIIs (12,000+ hours) carry significant risk—unexpected breakdowns mid-trip are common, and parts scarcity drives up repair times and costs. The low purchase price is deceptive when annual maintenance can exceed $200K on top of normal operating costs. Best suited for experienced operators with maintenance infrastructure. Budget a thorough pre-buy inspection and plan for near-term heavy maintenance items.

Cessna Citation III Inventory by Country

United States130
Canada5
Mexico4
TX4
Australia4
Chile3

Cessna Citation III by Price

Under $300k1
Under $500k12

Recently Sold Cessna Citation III

1987 Citation II$575,000
1981 Citation II$1,100,000
2007 Citation Jet 2+$200,000

Cessna Citation III Safety Record

No NTSB events on record for the Cessna Citation III. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed recently · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data