A Pilot in Love with His ‘Chevy’

His Cessna Citation CJ1 wasn’t his first love affair with an airplane, but the pilot still celebrates the classic jet on Valentine’s Day.

Dick Karl

Monday, February 14, 2022 at 10:29 AM ET

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The author with his valentine on a snowy day. [Courtesy: Dick Karl]

Key Takeaways:

The author expresses deep affection for his Cessna Citation CJ1, metaphorically calling it a "sweetheart" and a "special Valentine," appreciating its practical, reliable nature over flashy aesthetics.
He highlights the CJ1's strengths, including its simple systems, comfortable single-pilot design, smooth landing capabilities, and efficiency, despite it not being the fastest or most elegant jet.
The article reflects on the author's long history of aircraft ownership and his enduring love for flying, suggesting that his current CJ1, like his previous planes, has been cherished by all its owners.

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My ode to a special Valentine…

The pitot heat switch isn’t very conveniently located on a Cessna Citation CJ1. For that matter, it’s in the same awkward place on the CJ2 and CJ3. The time limit for pitot heat on the ground is two minutes, so remembering to turn it off upon landing can get lost in a flurry of taxi instructions. Then there are flaps to retract, windshield heat, ignition and anti-collision lights to turn off. Oh, and switch landing lights to “taxi only.”