About the TEXTRON AVIATION INC 680
The Textron Aviation Inc. 680, better known as the Cessna Citation Sovereign, is a midsize business jet that has carved out a significant niche in the general aviation market. Introduced by Cessna (now part of Textron Aviation) in 2004, the development of the Sovereign aimed to fill a gap between the smaller Citation Excel and the larger Citation X. The Sovereign's design focus was to offer a combination of range, performance, and airport agility not seen in competing models of the time. It served a niche for business travelers and operators who required a capable aircraft for coast-to-coast travel within the United States, as well as the ability to operate from shorter runways typically inaccessible to larger jets. The Sovereign provides a maximum range of around 3,200 nautical miles, which enables non-stop transcontinental flights, making it ideal for business executives and corporate travelers. Its notable features include excellent short-field performance, thanks to its relatively powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C engines and efficient wing design. The aircraft's speed and fuel efficiency, combined with a spacious and comfortable 8 to 12-passenger cabin, further enhance its appeal. Over the years, the Cessna Citation Sovereign has benefited from various upgrades, most notably the introduction of the Citation Sovereign+ in 2012. The Sovereign+ brought several improvements, including advanced avionics with the Garmin G5000 flight deck, updated cabin features, increased range, and better fuel efficiency. These updates kept the Sovereign competitive in the evolving business jet market. Production of the Citation Sovereign continued until 2021, when Textron Aviation decided to focus on more recent models like the Citation Latitude and Longitude. However, the Sovereign's legacy remains strong, as it is fondly remembered for its combination of performance, versatility, and reliability in the midsize business jet segment.