Cessna 500 & 501 Citation, Citation I & Citation I/SP

Citations For Sale at BusinessJet.com

The highly popular Cessna 500 Citation and 500 Citation I pioneered the entry level light business jet market, and their success formed the basis for the world's largest family of corporate jets.

Cessna became the first of the big three American manufacturers (Piper, Beech and Cessna) to develop a jet powered transport. In October 1968 Cessna announced its plans to build a new eight place jet powered business aircraft that would be capable of operating into airfields already served by light and medium twins. Dubbed the Fanjet 500, the prototype flew for the first time on September 15 1969. Soon after the new little jet was named the Citation.

A relatively long development program followed, during which time a number of key changes were made to the design including a longer forward fuselage, repositioned engine nacelles, greater tail area and added dihedral to the horizontal tail. In this definitive form the Citation was granted FAA certification on September 9 1971.

Improvements including higher gross weights and thrust reversers were added to the line in early 1976, followed shortly after by the introduction of the enhanced Citation I later that same year. Features of the Citation I were higher weights, JT15D-1A engines and an increased span wing. A further model to appear was the 501 Citation I/SP, which is certificated for single pilot operation. The I/SP was delivered in early 1977.

Production of the Citation I ceased in 1985, its place in the Citation line left vacant until the arrival of the CitationJet (described separately) some years later.

Direct developments of the Citation were the Citation II (now Citation Bravo) and Citation V (now Citation Ultra Encore).

Powerplants

Citation I - Two 9.79kN (2200lb) JT15D-1A1Bs.

Performance
Citation - Max speed 647km/h (350kt), max cruising speed 644km/h (348kt). Initial rate of climb 3350ft/min. Service ceiling 38,400ft. Range with eight people on board and reserves at high speed cruise 2250km (1215nm). Citation I - Cruising speed 662km/h (357kt). Initial rate of climb 2720ft/min. Range with max fuel, 710kg (1560lb) payload and reserves 2460km (1328nm).

Weights
Citation - Empty 2455kg (5408lb), max takeoff 4920kg (10,850lb). Citation I - Empty equipped 3008kg (6631lb), max takeoff 5380kg (11,850lb).

Dimensions
Citation - Wing span 13.32m (43ft 9in), length 13.26m (43ft 6in), height 4.36m (14ft 3in). Wing area 24.2m2 (260sq ft). Citation I - Same except for wing span 14.35m (47ft 1in). Wing area 25.9m2 (278.5sq ft).

Capacity
Two pilots for Citation and Citation I, single pilot for Citation I/SP. Optional main cabin layouts for five, six or seven passengers.

Production
Over 690 Citations, Citation Is and I/SPs were built between 1971 and 1985.

Information gathered from various internet sources. Reasonable attempts have been made to ensure accuracy and veracity of sources. However, this information should not be used for flight planning or official purposes.

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