The Citation V family of aircraft, developed by Cessna Aircraft Company, includes four civilian variants and limited military versions. Production began in 1989 and concluded in 2011, with over 750 units produced at the company’s Wichita, Kansas facility. These aircraft remain notable for their presence in the skies today.
The Model 560 Citation V was an evolution from the Citation II, first announced at NBAA in 1987. It featured an elongated fuselage and Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5A turbofan engines. The cabin was redesigned for additional soundproofing and a quieter passenger experience. “It was certified to carry up to 13 total passengers (two crew and 11 passengers) but was only ever configured to carry up to a maximum of ten people (two crew and eight passengers).” The Model 560 had a cruise speed of 397 knots and a maximum range of 1,644 nautical miles.
The Citation Ultra marked the first major redesign of the Model 560. With new Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5D engines, it offered improved power efficiency while maintaining its top speed and range. “We selected the Cessna Citation Ultra as the best business jet of 1994 because it is setting the pace for the 1990s — offering more performance, more comfort and more speed but costing no more money,” stated Flying Magazine.
Following this was the Citation Encore, featuring Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A engines that increased performance metrics such as range and cruising speed while reducing fuel capacity slightly to accommodate new landing gear technology.
The final iteration in this series was the Citation Encore+, which introduced Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) systems with its new PW535B engines. Despite advancements like increased payload capacity and range improvements, economic conditions led to early termination of production after delivering only nine units between 2010 and its end in late 2011.
