Bass Pro Shops is one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the United States. The large company offers hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor recreation equipment to its customers. It also dabbles in light vehicle sales, such as four-wheelers or all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and even in boat sales, depending on the store.
The company was first founded in 1972, over fifty years ago. The founder, Johnny Morris, headquartered the company in Springfield, Missouri. Since then, it has grown to one of the largest outdoor recreational-focused stories in the country. There are over 175 locations spread throughout the United States, which includes Cabela’s branded stores, one of the company’s subsidiaries. Bass Pro Shops has over 40,000 employees, and in 2023, the company brought in over $6.5 billion in total revenue. Along with its retail business, Bass Pro Shops also supports various conservation efforts in the US.
Because of the extensive network of Bass Pro Shops, along with ongoing conservation efforts and events around the US, it is no wonder the company operates several business jets. These private jets, which are used primarily to transport business executives, provide the Bass Pro Shops executive team with the ultimate flexibility while traveling. It also allows the company to reach some of its more remote destinations, which may be far from larger commercial airports. Let’s take a closer look at the two business jets that Bass Pro Shops flies.
Cessna Citation Sovereign
The older of the two business jets operated by Bass Pro Shops is a Cessna
Citation Sovereign
, which is registered as N378TM. This aircraft was manufactured in 2016 and has the serial number of 680A-0049. The official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registered owner is BT Aviation LLC, an aircraft broker based in North Port, Florida. However, according to JetSpy, this aircraft has Bass Pro Shops as a primary owner.
Photo: Dito Ardiyanto | Shutterstock
According to JetSpy, this aircraft has flown 77 times in 2024, which has amounted to a total of 97 flight hours. These flights have utilized over 27,000 gallons of aviation fuel, which has contributed to over 260 metric tons of carbon emissions.
The top three most visited airports for this aircraft include:
- Springfield Branson National Airport (SGF)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- St Paul Downtown Holman Field (STP)
About the Cessna Citation Sovereign
The Citation Sovereign was a midsize business jet produced by Cessna from 2004 through 2021. This aircraft was originally introduced at the annual National Business Aviation Administration (NBAA) convention in 1998. Cessna wanted a business jet to fill a gap in the midsize market, especially as the Citation VII was aging out of the industry. Cessna wanted an aircraft to compete with the Hawker 800, but still be powerful enough to compete with the Learjet 60.
Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock
The new aircraft was designed from the
Citation Excel
, one of the company’s more popular business jet offerings. Cessna stretched the Citation Excel’s fuselage and designed a brand-new larger wing. Inside the cockpit, the Citation Sovereign utilizes the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite, which is a glass cockpit avionics system.
The company also added two new powerful engines, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C turbofan engines, which provided the aircraft with nearly 6,000 pounds of thrust each. These engines helped the aircraft reach the following performance specifications:
|
Maximum capacity |
12 passengers |
|---|---|
|
Length |
63 feet six inches |
|
Height |
20 feet four inches |
|
Wingspan |
72 feet four inches |
|
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) |
30,775 pounds |
|
Cruise speed |
460 knots (530 miles per hour) |
|
Range |
3,200 nautical miles (3,700 miles) |
|
Service ceiling |
47,000 feet |
Cessna Citation Longitude
The second private jet that Bass Pro Shops operates is a larger Cessna Citation
Longitude
, registered as N372BP. This aircraft was built in 2021 and has the serial number 700-0045. The official FAA-registered owner is FLY FISHING LLC.
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
According to JetSpy, this aircraft is utilized more frequently than the company’s Citation Sovereign. The aircraft has flown 227 times in 2024, for a total of 244 flight hours. These flights have utilized over 77,000 gallons of jet fuel, which has contributed to nearly 740 metric tons of carbon emissions.
The top three most visited airports for this aircraft are:
- Springfield Branson National Airport (SGF)
- Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC)
- Chicago Executive Airport (PWK)
About the Cessna Citation Longitude
The Citation Longitude is Cessna’s largest business jet offering. Cessna first announced the aircraft at the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in 2012. The aircraft was initially developed as a follow-on development after the company’s Citation Columbus project was canceled in late 2009.
Photo: BAHADIR ARAL AVCI | Shutterstock
This large aircraft was developed from the Citation Latitude, but included a longer fuselage. It also incorporates a larger tail and a more swept wing that reaches about 28 degrees. This aircraft also uses the Garming G5000 flight deck as its avionics system.
Initially, Cessna chose the Snecma Silvercrest engine to power the Citation Longitude. However, the production model of the Citation Longitude utilizes two Honeywell HTF700 turbofan engines, which provide the aircraft with over 7,500 pounds of thrust each. These powerful engines help the aircraft reach the following performance specifications:
|
Maximum capacity |
12 passengers |
|---|---|
|
Length |
73 feet two inches |
|
Height |
19 feet five inches |
|
Wingspan |
68 feet eleven inches |
|
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) |
39,500 pounds |
|
Cruise speed |
483 knots (560 miles per hour) |
|
Range |
3,500 nautical miles (4,028 miles) |
|
Service ceiling |
45,000 feet |