Cessna Citation Ii/Sp

Twin Jet· 37 globally registered

The Cessna Citation II is a light business jet that became one of the most successful corporate aircraft of the 1980s, building on the original Citation's reputation for economy and simplicity while adding meaningful performance improvements. Introduced in 1977 as the Model 550, it stretched the fuselage to seat up to eight passengers, added more powerful Pratt & Whitney JT15D-4 engines, and increased range to roughly 1,500 nautical miles, making it viable for true coast-to-coast missions in the United States. Cessna produced more than 650 Citation IIs and the improved Citation II/SP variant before transitioning to the Bravo in the mid-1990s, and the type remains popular in the owner-flown and charter markets for its straightforward systems, modest operating costs, and forgiving handling characteristics. The aircraft cruises at around 400 knots and reaches a service ceiling of 43,000 feet, respectable figures for a light jet that prioritized reliability and dispatch availability over raw speed. Its straight wing and docile stall behavior made it a favorite among pilots stepping up from piston twins, while its relatively short runway performance allowed access to smaller airports that larger jets couldn't serve. SkyMeter has tracked 45 flights across 14 airframes and 13 operators, with ORION AERIAL LLC among the most active observed operators.