The first private jet produced by Cessna was the Cessna Citation 500, also known as the Cessna Citation I. It was developed in the late 1960s by Clyde Cessna and first flew on September 15, 1969. The Citation 500 was a revolutionary aircraft in the business aviation industry, as it was the first light jet to be powered by turbofan engines, which provided greater speed and efficiency compared to the earlier turbojet engines used in other business jets. The Citation 500 was also designed to be easy to operate and maintain, with a spacious and comfortable cabin that could accommodate up to six passengers. The success of the Citation 500 paved the way for the development of a series of successful Cessna Citation models that continue to be produced today.
The Cessna Citation 500
The Cessna Citation 500 was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofan engines. The JT15D is a small, lightweight engine designed for use in light to medium-sized business jets and is known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. The Citation 500 was originally designed with JT15D-1 engines, which had a maximum thrust of 2,200 pounds each. Later models of the aircraft, including the Citation I/SP and Citation II, were upgraded to the more powerful JT15D-4 engines, which had a maximum thrust of 2,500 pounds each. The JT15D engine is a twin-spool design, which means that it has two separate compressor stages, each driven by its own turbine. This design allows for better efficiency and a more consistent level of power output at different altitudes and speeds. The engines are also equipped with a thrust reverser system, which helps to slow down the aircraft during landing and improves safety. Overall, the JT15D engines used in the Citation 500 were a key factor in the aircraft’s success, as they provided good performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability, while also being relatively easy to maintain.
The Cessna Citation 500, also known as the Citation I, is sometimes referred to as the “Cessna Citation 1SP” or simply the “Citation 1”. Another nickname for the Citation 500 is the “Slowtation”, which is a reference to the aircraft’s relatively modest cruising speed of around 380-400 knots (437-460 miles per hour), compared to faster business jets that were introduced later. Despite its somewhat slower speed, the Citation 500 was known for its reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation, which made it a popular choice among private jet owners and operators.
Clyde V. Cessna
Cessna Aircraft Company was founded by Clyde Cessna in 1927. Clyde Cessna was an aviation pioneer and one of the early manufacturers of airplanes in the United States. He began his career as a barnstormer and then moved on to designing and building his own aircraft. In 1911, he built and flew his first airplane, the Silverwing. After several successful aviation ventures, Clyde Cessna founded the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas, along with his nephews Dwane Wallace and Dwight Wallace. Today, Cessna is a well-known manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, and its planes are used for a variety of purposes, including personal and business travel, flight training, and agricultural applications. Cessna (now a subsidiary of Textron Aviation) produces a range of business jets, including the Citation series. The exact number of Cessna jets used for private aviation is difficult to determine, as it can vary from year to year and also depend on factors such as geography, market demand, and the overall economy. However, it’s safe to say that Cessna business jets are widely used in private aviation, as they are known for their reliability, efficiency, and comfort. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Cessna delivered 78 business jets in 2020, which includes the Citation series as well as the larger Cessna Hemisphere. The number of Cessna jets in private use would be a subset of this number, as some of these deliveries may have gone to commercial or government customers.
Textron Aviation
Textron Aviation is a leading manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, including business jets, turboprops, and piston-engine airplanes. The company is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, and is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., a large American multinational corporation with a diverse range of businesses. Textron Aviation is the result of a merger between two well-known aviation companies, Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation. Cessna and Beechcraft were both founded in the 1920s and became major players in the aviation industry, producing a range of popular aircraft models over the years. In 2014, Textron Inc. acquired Beechcraft Corporation and merged it with its existing subsidiary, Cessna Aircraft Company, to form Textron Aviation. Today, Textron Aviation produces a range of aircraft under the Cessna and Beechcraft brands, including the Citation business jet series, the King Air turboprop series, and the Bonanza and Baron piston-engine airplane series. Textron Aviation is known for its commitment to innovation, safety, and customer service. The company is constantly investing in research and development to improve its aircraft models and stay ahead of the competition. It also has a large network of authorized service centers around the world, which provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services to Textron Aviation customers.
Next Week we will take a step back from the jets with a quick peek into the propeller craft available for private charter. Until then, Be Social, Fly Private!