Cessna Citation
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The Cessna Citation includes a large family of jet-powered corporate aircraft.
Originally marketed as the FanJet 500, it was decided to rename it the "Citation 500" after the famous race horse (a connection frequently used in Cessna's marketing department). The naming changed again, the Citation 500 becoming the Citation I.
The original Citation I was one of the first light corporate jets to be powered by turbofan engines. While the Learjets of the 1960's were intimidating to some for their speed and initial accident rates, the Citation was the first aircraft to aggressively target a segment of pilots who could upgrade from slower propeller-driven aircraft. The aircraft was slower than typical jet cruise speeds, yet also had excellent short field performance and retained cabin pressurization.
Later models included the Citation II, a larger stretched development, and the Citation I SP and II SP, with "SP" denoting single-pilot operations. Cessna continuously refined the line and added new models such as the further stretched Citation V, and the Citation 650's(III's, VI, VII's) which had been re-engineered so heavily it became a new aircraft model in its own right.
Later aircraft to the original model line include the CitationJet, CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, CJ1+, and CJ2+ (not to be confused with the original Citation I and II), entirely new models meant to replace their predecessors using new technology made available during the late 1990s. The Citation Bravo likewise corresponds to the CitationII (and the Citation Encore to the original Citation V). The latest development in the line is the Cessna Citation Mustang, a new Very Light Jet (VLJ), even smaller and lighter than the CitationJet I meant to compete with the new breed of VLJs from Embraer, Eclipse Aviation, and Adam Aircraft.
Completely different models that nonetheless are marketed under the Citation name include the aforementioned Citation V and Encore, in addition to the Citation Sovereign, a new "super mid-size" corporate jet, and the Citation X (X as in the Roman numeral for "ten"), the fastest civilian aircraft in the world since the retirement of Concorde. However, it is rarely flown at such high speeds, because of increased fuel burn.
[edit] Military operators
The U.S. Navy purchased 15 modified Citation II aircraft and operated them as T-47A trainers. After most of the aircraft were destroyed in a hangar fire, the remaining aircraft were retired in favor of the T-39. Other military operators have included Argentina, Chile, Spain, Pakistan, China, Ecuador, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Related Development: Citation VI, Citation Encore, Cessna Citation Sovereign, Citation X
Similar Aircraft: Learjet 35A, Learjet 45, Beechjet 400
[edit] External links
Single-engine: 120 • 140 • 150 • 152 • 165 • 170 • 172 • 175 • 177 • 177RG • 180 • 182 • 185 • 188 • 190 • 195 • 205 • 206 • 207 • 208 • 210 • 305
Twin-engine: 303 • 310 • 320 • 336 • 337 • 340 • 401 • 402 • 404 • 406 • 411 • 414 • 425 • 441
Citation series: 500 • 501 • 510 • 525 • 525A • 525B • 550 • 551 • 560 • 650 • 680 • 750
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