FAA Pulls Citation Single-Pilot Authorization

Agency cites safety concerns and ‘widespread noncompliance’ with former rules.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, September 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Cessna 550 jet [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has ceased issuing and rescinded existing exemptions for single-pilot operations in certain Cessna Citation jet models due to significant safety concerns.
This decision follows a review revealing "widespread noncompliance" with training exemptions and an accident rate for single-pilot Citation jets that is twice that of two-pilot operations.
Investigations found issues among training providers, including incomplete records, improper training, and falsified records, leading to 13 out of 14 providers having their exemptions denied or rescinded.
Pilots who previously obtained single-pilot endorsements under these exemptions are now required to cease single-pilot operations in the affected aircraft.

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The FAA is halting single-pilot operations in certain models of Cessna Citation jets, citing safety concerns and “widespread noncompliance” with training exemptions.

On Friday the FAA issued a formal “Notice of Policy Change and Rescission of Single-Pilot Training Exemptions for Certain Cessna Aircraft.” The six-page report notes the change is based on safety concerns resulting from a review that “revealed widespread non-compliance with the exemptions,” which prompted the FAA to cease issuing exemptions that allow certain Cessna jets that require two pilots to be flown as a single-pilot operation.