The Cessna Citation V is a single-pilot-certified light business jet produced by Cessna Aircraft Company from 1987 to 1994. Designated the Model 560, it was introduced as a stretched, more powerful evolution of the Citation III family, capable of carrying up to eight passengers with a range of approximately 1,800 nautical miles. It quickly became a favourite in corporate and charter aviation for its balance of operating economy, cabin comfort, and accessibility to smaller airports.
What Is the History and Development of the Cessna Citation V?
Cessna launched the Citation V programme in the mid-1980s as demand grew for a stretched variant of the Citation II (Model 550). The prototype first flew on August 18, 1987, and the FAA certificated the aircraft on December 9, 1988. Customer deliveries began in 1989. The fuselage was lengthened by 23 inches compared to the Citation II, allowing a full stand-up cabin and seating for up to eight occupants. Cessna powered the aircraft with two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5A turbofan engines, each producing 2,900 pounds of thrust — a meaningful upgrade that improved hot-and-high performance. By the time production ended in 1994, Cessna had delivered 262 Citation V airframes.
What Are the Key Specifications and Performance Figures?
The Citation V cruises at up to 433 knots (Mach 0.72) at altitudes up to 45,000 feet, with a maximum range of approximately 1,800 nautical miles carrying typical loads. Its balanced field length of around 3,240 feet lets it operate from shorter regional runways unavailable to larger jets. The aircraft weighs 15,900 pounds maximum take-off and carries 5,819 pounds of usable fuel. The cabin measures 17.3 feet in length, 4.8 feet wide, and 4.8 feet tall — generous for the light-jet class of its era.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| First Flight | August 18, 1987 |
| FAA Certification | December 9, 1988 |
| Engines | 2× P&WC JT15D-5A (2,900 lbf each) |
| Max Cruise Speed | 433 knots (Mach 0.72) |
| Max Range | ~1,800 nautical miles |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 feet |
| MTOW | 15,900 lbs |
| Cabin Length | 17.3 feet |
| Total Built | 262 aircraft |
How Did the Citation V Evolve Into Later Variants?
The Citation V spawned a successful family of derivatives. The Citation Ultra (1993) introduced uprated JT15D-5D engines and an EFIS cockpit, followed by the Citation Encore (2000) with Williams FJ44-3A engines and a Garmin avionics suite. The ultimate evolution, the Citation Encore+, debuted in 2006 with further avionics upgrades. All share the same Model 560 airframe, demonstrating the structural soundness of the original 1987 design. Today, hundreds of Citation Vs and their descendants remain in active service worldwide, supported by a mature parts and maintenance network.
Why Did the Citation V Become a Legacy Aircraft in Business Aviation?
The Citation V succeeded because it struck an ideal balance for owner-operators: single-pilot certification reduced crew costs, straight wings simplified low-speed handling, and the Pratt & Whitney engines offered proven reliability. Its ability to access runways under 4,000 feet opened routes that swept-wing jets could not serve economically. Aviation analyst Brian Foley noted that Cessna's Citation line — anchored by variants like the V — consistently ranked as the world's best-selling business jet family through the 1990s. The aircraft's low direct operating costs and strong residual values cemented its reputation as a prudent corporate asset.
