IATA CNJICAO C500

Cessna Citation I

Cessna

TravelerPulse profile

Cessna's pioneering light business jet, affordable and reliable.

First flight

1972

Category

Light business jet

Seating

5–7

Range

2,409 km

Engines

Two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1A turbofan engines

Status

In service

The Cessna Citation I is a light business jet developed by Cessna Aircraft Company, introduced in the early 1970s as an evolution of the original Citation 500. It was designed to offer corporate operators a relatively affordable, safe, and easy-to-fly jet alternative to larger, more expensive business aircraft of the era. The Citation I features straight wings, which contribute to lower cruise speeds compared to swept-wing jets but provide excellent low-speed handling and short-field performance. This design choice made the aircraft accessible to a wider range of pilots and airports, including smaller regional strips. Widely used in corporate and charter aviation, the Citation I became one of the best-selling business jets of its time. The type has largely transitioned out of frontline service but many examples remain in private and charter operations globally.

Notable operators

Primarily operated by corporate flight departments, charter companies, and private owners rather than commercial airlines.

Notable facts

›The Citation I is an improved version of the original Cessna Citation 500, certified in 1971.
›Its straight-wing design prioritized safety and short-field capability over high cruise speed.
›The aircraft was marketed partly on its ability to be flown by pilots transitioning from turboprops.
›Over 690 Citation 500/Citation I airframes were built before production ended.
›The Citation family became one of the most successful business jet product lines in aviation history.

Read more on Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.

Encyclopaedia

The Cessna 500 Citation I is a small business jet produced by Cessna, the basis of the Citation family. The Fanjet 500 prototype was announced in October 1968, first flew on September 15, 1969, and was certified as the 500 Citation on September 9, 1971. It was upgraded in 1976 as the Citation I, and the 501 Citation I/SP single-pilot variant was introduced in 1977. Production ended in 1985 with 689 of all variants produced. The straight wing jet is powered by JT15D turbofans. The aircraft was developed into the Citation II.

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