Cessna CitationJet CJ1 9A-JIM · Alan Wilson · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped, adjusted
Textron Aviation said on September 22, 2026 that owners and operators of the original Cessna CitationJet can now book an all Garmin avionics retrofit after Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certification. The Wichita announcement covers Cessna CitationJet aircraft serial numbers 525-0001 to 0359, a group of 359 early airframes, and it moves those jets onto cockpit technology also offered for the CJ1 and CJ2.
For an owner, the decision is whether to schedule modernization now through the Textron service network or to keep maintaining fragmented legacy avionics. That choice affects dispatch reliability, pilot workload and long term support, so it helps to review current airline and aircraft guides before contacting a service center. Textron positions the package as an OEM backed path that combines certification, installation and ongoing support through the company that designed and built the aircraft.
- Announcement date: September 22, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas.
- Covered aircraft: Cessna CitationJet serial numbers 525-0001 to 0359, a total of 359 jets.
- Approval basis: Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certification for the all Garmin suite.
- Core package: G600 TXi display, TXi engine indication, GTN 750Xi navigator and GFC 600 autopilot.
- Booking path: Installation through Textron Aviation service network and authorized facilities.
Covered Serials and Eligibility Scope
Textron defines eligibility by serial number, not by model year alone. The company names serial numbers 525-0001 to 0359 as the covered population, which accounts for 359 original CitationJet airframes. Owners should confirm their exact serial plate before requesting a quote because nearby variants outside that interval use different certification paths.
That serial bound matters for maintenance planning. An aircraft at the early end of the range may still carry original instruments that are harder to support, while a later serial in the same interval may already have partial upgrades. As Flying reported, the retrofit is intended to replace fragmented legacy systems with one integrated suite. A service center can audit what is installed and identify which wiring, trays and antennas must change.
Cockpit Package and Safety Gains
The headline hardware is the Garmin flight deck built around the G600 TXi flight display with TXi engine indication. Textron also names the GTN 750Xi for flight management, navigation and communications and the GFC 600 digital autopilot for flight guidance. Together they bring the earliest jets closer to the capability Textron already supports on the CJ1 and CJ2.
Safety features named in the announcement include stabilized approach monitoring and aural V speed alerting during takeoff. Those functions target two high workload phases where crews benefit from clear cues. The package also supports optional additions for operators that want more weather and connectivity capability on longer or more complex missions.
Optional equipment includes the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar and the GDL 60 datalink that feeds the PlaneSync connected aircraft management system. Operators that fly in convective seasons or manage aircraft remotely may value those options, but they add cost and installation time. Owners should ask the service center to price the base suite and each option separately.
Service Network and Booking Path
Textron says customers can complete the upgrade through its service network with OEM backed expertise. The company cites an expansive company owned footprint plus more than 300 authorized service facilities around the world. It also cites more than 40 mobile service units with on site technicians for field support.
That single provider structure is part of the sales case. Instead of splitting certification, parts and labor across shops, the owner deals with the airframer network for installation and later support. As Textron Aviation announced, the approach is meant to keep legacy aircraft capable, relevant and supported while extending residual value. Scheduling lead time, hangar slot availability and parts provisioning still vary by site.
Operating Context for Legacy Owners
The original CitationJet entered service in the 1990s and many airframes remain active in owner flown, charter and fractional roles. Avionics obsolescence is a familiar pressure for that age group because displays, navigators and autopilot components phase out of production. A unified retrofit can simplify future repairs by reducing the number of distinct line replaceable units.
Owners should still treat the decision as operational, not cosmetic. A modern flight deck changes checklist flows, annunciations and autopilot modes, so crews need differences training even when total flight time is high. Insurance, financing and charter approvals may also ask for training records and updated weight and balance or flight manual supplements after installation.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Own a CitationJet with a serial from 525-0001 to 0359 | Request a serial specific eligibility check and a base suite quote dated after September 22, 2026. |
| Fly frequent single pilot or high workload missions | Prioritize the GFC 600 autopilot and stabilized approach monitoring in the work scope. |
| Operate in convective weather or remote bases | Price the GWX 8000 radar and GDL 60 PlaneSync link as separate options before authorizing. |
| Plan a sale or charter entry in the next year | Ask how OEM documentation and training records affect valuation and approval timelines. |
September 22, 2026 is the availability gate. Use that Textron date when comparing quotes and confirming that the STC basis is cited on the work order.
Serial verification is the next gate. Confirm 525-0001 to 0359 on the data plate and have the shop list excluded variants in writing.
Training completion is the return to service gate. Schedule differences training for the TXi, GTN 750Xi and GFC 600 before resuming complex missions.
Which CitationJets qualify for the new Garmin retrofit?
Textron names serial numbers 525-0001 to 0359, a total of 359 original CitationJet aircraft, under the September 22, 2026 announcement.
What avionics are included in the base package?
The base suite includes the G600 TXi display, TXi engine indication, GTN 750Xi navigator and GFC 600 autopilot with stabilized approach monitoring and takeoff V speed alerting.
Where is the work performed?
Textron says the upgrade is completed through its service network, supported by company owned sites, more than 300 authorized facilities and more than 40 mobile units.
Does the upgrade match newer CitationJets?
Textron says the package gives covered owners access to advanced cockpit technology also available on the CJ1 and CJ2, reducing fragmented legacy equipment.
