From Citation Mustang to an Off-Market Citation CJ2+
As Austen Iverson’s business expanded, his Citation Mustang no longer offered the seats, range and speed he wanted from his next aircraft.
But the answer wasn’t simply to buy a larger Citation.
Austen and The Jet Agent first evaluated several potential models—including the Citation Encore, CJ2 and CJ2+—before determining that the CJ2+ offered the combination of performance, comfort and capability that best fit his requirements.
Then came the harder part:
Finding the right one.
Many of the CJ2+ aircraft available at the time had corrosion, hail or other damage history. Others were located outside the United States, introducing potential export and import delays.
The search ultimately moved beyond publicly advertised inventory.
The Jet Agent contacted CJ2+ owners whose aircraft met Austen’s parameters and uncovered a pristine, off-market 2008 Citation CJ2+, serial number 525A-0420.
At the same time, the team managed the sale of Austen’s Citation Mustang, creating a coordinated transition from one aircraft into the next.
Transaction Snapshot
Aircraft Sold: Cessna Citation Mustang
Aircraft Acquired: 2008 Cessna Citation CJ2+
Serial Number: 525A-0420
Client: Austen Iverson
Representation: Seller and buyer
Transaction: Citation Mustang-to-CJ2+ aircraft transition
Acquisition: Off-market
The Jet Agent’s involvement included:
- Mission and aircraft requirements analysis
- Evaluation of Citation Encore, CJ2 and CJ2+ alternatives
- CJ2+ market analysis
- Evaluation and negotiation of multiple acquisition candidates
- Off-market aircraft sourcing
- Direct outreach to CJ2+ owners
- Purchase negotiations
- Citation Mustang sale
- Coordination of the aircraft transition
- Market analysis and acquisition strategy
Choosing the Right Citation Before Choosing the Airplane
Austen knew what he wanted his next aircraft to accomplish.
He needed more seats, greater range and additional speed than his Citation Mustang provided.
But those requirements could potentially be addressed by several aircraft.
The Jet Agent evaluated multiple Citation alternatives with Austen, including the Encore, CJ2 and CJ2+.
The CJ2+ ultimately emerged as the preferred model because it provided the balance of performance, comfort and capability Austen was seeking.
Only after determining the appropriate aircraft type did the search focus on finding the individual CJ2+ he should buy.
A Difficult Citation CJ2+ Market
The public market presented challenges.
A number of available CJ2+ aircraft had histories involving corrosion, hail or other damage.
Others were located outside the United States, potentially adding complexity and time through export and import requirements.
For a buyer, the existence of available inventory doesn’t necessarily mean there is an attractive aircraft to buy.
The Jet Agent evaluated and negotiated on multiple aircraft as the search progressed.
When those candidates did not produce the right combination of aircraft quality, transaction terms and buyer confidence, the team continued looking.
Expanding the Search Off Market
The search eventually shifted toward aircraft that weren’t publicly advertised.
Jon Gilbert conducted direct outreach to CJ2+ owners whose aircraft met Austen’s acquisition parameters.
That meant looking beyond the aircraft already listed for sale and asking a different question:
Which owners might consider selling the right airplane even though they haven’t put it on the market?
The effort expanded the acquisition universe beyond advertised inventory.
Ultimately, the team uncovered 2008 Citation CJ2+ 525A-0420.
The aircraft was off market and in exceptional condition.
It became the aircraft Austen ultimately purchased.
Knowing When Not to Buy an Aircraft
Austen’s acquisition involved evaluating and negotiating on three separate aircraft before reaching the right one.
That is an important part of buyer representation.
Time invested in an aircraft doesn’t make it the right aircraft.
Neither does an accepted offer.
As additional information becomes available, the buyer needs to remain willing to reconsider the opportunity if the aircraft or transaction no longer makes sense.
Austen later said that without The Jet Agent’s involvement, he believes he could have ended up owning an aircraft with underlying problems.
The objective was never simply to get him into a CJ2+.
It was to find the CJ2+ he should own.
Market Intelligence Behind the Acquisition
The aircraft search combined several different functions within The Jet Agent team.
Denise Wilson led the acquisition search, evaluation and negotiations.
Jon Gilbert expanded the search through direct owner outreach.
Anders Garbe provided market intelligence that helped inform the acquisition strategy and timing.
Austen specifically identified the combination of those capabilities as an important part of the value he received.
That team structure allowed sourcing, aircraft evaluation, negotiation and market analysis to work toward the same objective.
Selling the Mustang at the Same Time
Austen wasn’t simply acquiring another aircraft.
His Citation Mustang also needed to be sold.
The Jet Agent managed the Mustang sale while the CJ2+ search and acquisition were underway.
The sale encountered unforeseen issues involving planned paint and interior upgrades, but the team continued managing the process while coordinating the transition into the replacement aircraft.
This is where an aircraft upgrade differs from a standalone acquisition.
The owner has two objectives occurring at once:
Exit the existing aircraft successfully.
Acquire the right replacement aircraft.
The two transactions need to work together.
In Austen’s Words
“Denise, Jon, and Anders at The Jet Agent are an exceptional team who ensured my CJ2+ acquisition was nothing short of perfect.
Denise led the search with incredible dedication, tirelessly evaluating and negotiating on three separate aircraft until we found the ideal match. Without Denise and her team, I would have navigated this journey blind and owned an airplane with underlying problems; a problem no new jet owner wants to face.
Jon’s relentless efforts were remarkable; he reached out to owners worldwide, securing the exact aircraft I now own. Anders, with his invaluable market insights, guided Denise and Jon flawlessly, ensuring we timed the purchase impeccably with market trends.
Their collective expertise and commitment made the entire process smooth and efficient. I couldn’t be more pleased with their professionalism and personalized service. If you’re looking for a jet acquisition experience that exceeds expectations, I wholeheartedly recommend Denise, Jon, and Anders at The Jet Agent – they deliver results with unmatched dedication and precision.”
— Austen Iverson, Citation CJ2+ Owner
The Result
Austen successfully transitioned from his Citation Mustang into off-market 2008 Citation CJ2+ 525A-0420.
The path to that aircraft wasn’t linear.
The Jet Agent:
- Helped evaluate the Encore, CJ2 and CJ2+ before selecting the appropriate model
- Evaluated and negotiated multiple CJ2+ acquisition candidates
- Worked through a market in which many available aircraft carried undesirable histories or other complications
- Expanded the search through direct owner outreach
- Identified an off-market CJ2+ in exceptional condition
- Simultaneously managed the sale of Austen’s Citation Mustang
- Coordinated the move from one Citation into the next
The result wasn’t merely the purchase of a larger airplane.
It was a transition into an aircraft that better fit Austen’s evolving requirements.
What This Citation CJ2+ Acquisition Demonstrates
Select the Aircraft Type Before Falling in Love With an Airplane
The process began by evaluating which aircraft best fit Austen’s requirements.
The Encore, CJ2 and CJ2+ were considered before the CJ2+ emerged as the appropriate model.
That reduces the risk of allowing an attractive individual aircraft to drive a decision that should begin with the mission.
Available Inventory Isn’t Necessarily Good Inventory
There were CJ2+s for sale.
The problem was finding one Austen should buy.
Damage history, corrosion, geographic location and other factors reduced the attractiveness of several publicly available alternatives.
Sometimes the Right Answer Is to Keep Looking
Three aircraft were evaluated and negotiated before Austen acquired 525A-0420.
Walking away from the wrong acquisition candidate can be just as important as negotiating the right one.
Off-Market Sourcing Requires Active Outreach
The successful off-market acquisition wasn’t the result of waiting for an airplane to appear.
The Jet Agent directly contacted owners whose aircraft met Austen’s requirements.
That outreach ultimately produced the aircraft he purchased.
An Aircraft Upgrade Is a Transition
Austen’s Mustang sale and CJ2+ acquisition were interconnected.
Managing both allowed The Jet Agent to approach the assignment as a transition from one aircraft into another rather than two unrelated transactions.
Considering a Citation CJ2+ Acquisition?
The first question shouldn’t necessarily be:
Which CJ2+ should I buy?
It may be:
Is the CJ2+ the right aircraft for what I need to accomplish?
The Jet Agent helps Citation buyers answer that question first.
Once the requirements are established, we evaluate the public market, search for off-market opportunities, analyze individual aircraft and represent the buyer through negotiation and acquisition.
And if an existing aircraft also needs to be sold, we can coordinate both sides of the transition.
The objective isn’t simply to find a Citation CJ2+.
It is to find the right one.
