There will always be a soft spot in my heart whenever I see an ancient Cessna Citation sitting unnoticed by most on an FBO ramp. The CE-500 was the first type rating I ever added to my ATP certificate a few decades ago. While the cockpit, indeed the entire aircraft, appear rather ancient by today’s standards, that Citation II I flew for a charter company was built like and acted much like a Chevy Suburban does on land. There seemed to be little that could or did go wrong with the aircraft and it always brought everyone home safely. ATC often referred to the airplane as a “slowtation,” because of its 340-knot flight-planned speed. A good day found us cruising at FL350. Attempt to climb to altitudes much higher, and the Citation quickly ran out of steam. But it was still a jet.
Textron Celebrates 50 Years Since Citation’s Inaugural Flight
Key Takeaways:
- The article celebrates 50 years of the Cessna Citation series, starting with the original Citation 500 which the author fondly remembers for its reliability.
- Originating from a military jet trainer, the Citation family has achieved significant success with over 35 million flight hours across more than 7,500 airframes.
- Textron Aviation continues to develop the Citation line, offering a range of modern business jets from light to super-midsize, featuring advanced technology, performance, and passenger comfort.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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