Citation

The Cessna Citation series is a family of light‑to‑mid‑size business jets that has shaped corporate aviation since its debut in 1972. Developed by the Cessna Aircraft Company, the first model, the Model 500 (later designated the Citation I), introduced a compact, twin‑engine design that combined cruise speeds above 400 kt with runway‑friendly performance, allowing access to smaller airports previously unreachable by jets. Over the decades Cessna expanded the line to include the Citation II, III, V, VII, and the high‑speed Citation X and X+, each iteration adding more powerful engines, longer range, and advanced avionics while retaining the hallmark of reliability and low operating costs. Key features of the modern Citations include a pressurized cabin with a flat‑floor layout, digital glass cockpit, and fuel‑efficient turbofan propulsion, which together deliver speeds near 500 kt, ranges exceeding 2,000 nm, and the ability to operate from runways as short as 3,500 ft. The Citation’s significance lies in democratizing jet travel; it brought jet speed and comfort to smaller businesses and individual owners, spurred the growth of the private‑charter market, and cemented Cessna’s reputation as a leader in versatile, cost‑effective business aviation.

Cessna

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification