Cessna Citation V/Ultra/Encore

Twin Jet· 584 globally registered

The Cessna Citation V, introduced in 1989, marked a significant step in the evolution of Cessna's light business jet family by stretching the fuselage of the Citation II to create a true six-to-eight passenger cabin with stand-up headroom. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5A turbofans, the Citation V offered improved range and comfort over its predecessors while maintaining the docile handling characteristics and short-field performance that made the Citation series popular with owner-pilots and corporate flight departments alike. The type evolved through the Ultra (1994) and Encore (2000) variants, each bringing incremental improvements in avionics, engines, and interior appointments, with the Encore gaining the more powerful PW535A engines and a glass cockpit. With a maximum cruise speed around 400 knots and a range exceeding 1,700 nautical miles, the Citation V family carved out a sweet spot in the light jet market: fast enough for regional business travel, economical enough for frequent operation, and simple enough that many were flown single-pilot under appropriate certifications. The type became a workhorse for charter operators, air ambulance services, and corporate flight departments throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. Over 350 Citation V/Ultra/Encore aircraft were delivered before production ended in 2011, and the type remains a common sight at business aviation airports worldwide. SkyMeter has tracked 1,418 flights across 358 airframes and 296 operators, with AERO AIR CHARTER HOLDING LLC the largest observed operator.