The Citation Jet Pilots Association met in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this past September, and I went to see what it was all about. With a recently purchased 19-year-old CJ1 in our hangar, we finally qualified for membership. Going required a certain suspension of skepticism on my part. I am not a natural joiner of groups. You will not find a membership in a golf club, yacht club nor country club anywhere in my life’s logbook. I am naturally allergic to homogeneity and preternaturally drawn to diversity when it comes to friends. I also worried that our airplane would leave us at the back of the pack. When one note described the dress code as “country club casual,” I took a deep breath.
Gear Up: A Gathering of Citations
Key Takeaways:
- The author, initially skeptical about joining, found the Citation Jet Pilots Association (CJP) convention to be a welcoming, well-organized, and valuable experience for Citation owners.
- The convention featured key presentations from aviation leaders (Textron, FAA, NetJets) on safety, operational efficiency, and maintenance, underscoring the organization's core focus.
- CJP has grown significantly, raising substantial funds for safety initiatives and scholarships, evolving into a dedicated community resource centered on flight safety rather than just a "rich guy's club."
- Beyond technical insights, the author discovered a diverse and passionate community of pilots united by their love of aviation and a shared commitment to safety and camaraderie.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
