FAA Weighs Restoring Citation Single-Pilot Operations

Administrator Bryan Bedford voices support for exploring alternatives to legacy exemptions, which the agency rescinded in September.

Jack Daleo

Friday, October 23, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The FAA banned single-pilot operations and rescinded exemptions for certain legacy Citation jets, such as the model 550, in September. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is open to exploring methods, such as a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) combined with additional training and aircraft modifications, to restore single-pilot operations for legacy Cessna Citation models after halting them in September.
The initial ban was prompted by FAA findings of widespread non-compliance with existing exemptions and safety concerns, including a higher accident rate for single-pilot operated Part 25 CE-500 aircraft.
While the FAA defended its decision to withdraw exemptions, Administrator Bryan Bedford indicated a willingness to examine proposals that can achieve an "equivalent level of safety" for these operations.

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The FAA is reportedly open to exploring ways to restore single-pilot operations in legacy Cessna Citation models after the agency halted them in September and rescinded exemptions.

“We believe that there’s some compelling data that might provide a path to allowing single-pilot operations with some training, with an STC,” Kristie Greco Johnson, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Business Aviation Association, told FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford at the group’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.