Summary
- Speed is a strong suit, with the Citation Mustang able to cover 1000 NM in under 200 minutes, which is ideal for East Coast business travel.
- Small cabin size benefits C-level meetings or family trips and falls under the Light Jets category for up to 6 passengers.
- Original Mustangs can only be bought second-hand, ranging from $1.7M to $2.5M.
The Cessna Citation Mustang is a five-seat twinjet private aircraft manufactured by the Wichita-based OEM with the same name. It first flew in 2005, and production ceased over a decade later in 2017.
This business jet has proved very popular, with some 476 aircraft delivered; it has shown moderate success. Today, we will uncover some of the reasons that made this small jet a beloved means of transportation and why it can still be an excellent option to buy today on the second-hand market. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the features that make this little Cessna much more capable than it looks would have it.
Speed
The Mustang carries a name inspired by North America’s wild, free-roaming horses, symbolizing strength, power, and speed. The Citation Mustang has a top speed of 339 knots and can cover a distance of 1000 nautical miles in just 199 minutes. According to a document by the National Museum of the United States Air Force, one nautical mile in aviation represents 1,15 miles. This means that 10000NM would be 1115 miles. This is roughly the distance between New York and Tampa, Florida, and can be covered in 3 hours and 30 minutes. Although this does take into account a tech stop, as the Mustang has a range of 963NM
This is roughly the distance between Paris and Madrid for our European readers.
This means that this private airplane is ideally suited for East Coast-based business people who must attend multiple meetings in cities across the DC, NY, and Chicago areas.
With the Mustang, they can cover all the towns and reach popular leisure destinations in Florida with one tech stop.
The cabin.
One of the other critical features of this jet is its size. It falls within the Light Jets category, private aircraft that, according to NetJets, can carry up to 6 passengers. The Mustang can carry four passengers in two rows of two seats facing each other. This configuration is ideal for small to medium business owners. It would easily fit their CEO, CFO, CRO, and COO together, allowing them to discuss business matters in complete privacy before and after nationwide meetings. Another use case can be for medium-sized families (2 parents and two children) going on vacation to popular destinations like Orlando for vacation.
Price
In its original form, the Citation Mustang has not been produced since 2017. This means that, technically, prospective owners are no longer able to acquire a new airframe from Textron Aviation.
Photo: Mike Fuchslocher | Shutterstock
A new version is available, but we will discuss further details later in the article.
The only way to purchase an original Mustang is to head to the second-hand market.
According to pre-owned marketplace Controller.com, the cheapest jet available today would cost prospective owners around $1,7M to acquire. The most expensive item on their website would be $2.5 M. Much like buying a second-hand car (except for rare exceptions), the cheaper the asset, the more maintenance will be needed to either bring it back to acceptable condition or maintain it in general.
The Mustang is a design that stands for the test of time.
I mentioned earlier that new factory jets of this kind are no longer available. This is technically true. However, According to Air Charter Service, the OEM cut the Mustang program in 2017 because Textron Aviation decided to focus on the CJ M2 and, later, the M2 Gen 2.
Photo: Simple Flying
The Gen 2 is the latest version of the jet, having launched in April 2022. At the time, the OEM said this about the project.
We redefined the entry-level light jet segment when we brought the Citation M2 to market in 2013.
With this integration of next-generation interior technology and design, we know the M2 Gen2 will continue to be among the most popular light jet models,” said Christi Tannahill, senior vice president of Customer Experience. “We’re thrilled to get this airplane into the hands of the customers who helped shape it. Guy Stockbridge and his Elite Team Offices operation represent the ideal customer for the M2 Gen2: a first-time aircraft owner whose missions demand a versatile aircraft with performance and cabin amenities often found only in larger jets.
Guy Stockbridge, the owner of Elite Team Offices, accepted the keys to his new M2 Gen2 from Textron Aviation Regional Sales Director Natalie Stadelman, saying this at the time.
We are excited beyond explanation about finally owning our light jet and what it will do for me, my wife, our teammates, and clients,” Stockbridge said. “Knowing we can get to any project across the United States in hours seems unbelievable and amazing at the same time. We are looking forward to flying out of Wichita in our new M2 Gen2 jet straight to one of our solar projects in Arizona and be at home in the same day. What a blessing!
5 Reasons Pilots Love Cessna’s Smallest Jet: The Citation Mustang
The aircraft provides a variety of unique benefits for pilots.
Bottom line
The Mustang still flies today; AstonJet has a fleet based out of LBG and can be flown anywhere in Europe. Its small size makes it intimate and ideally suited for airborne C-level meetings or family trips to regional vacations. Despite its small size, the jet can make transcontinental trips with one or two tech stops, reaching a cruise speed of 340 knots.
It may no longer be produced, but its legacy lives on in the CJ M2 Gen 2 and will continue to serve thousands of users worldwide for decades as it is still available to buy second-hand today.
