Development: tune← Previous revisionRevision as of 13:17, 3 November 2026 Line 69: Line 69: In October 1968, Cessna announced an eight place business jet capable of operating from airfields accessible to light twins, dispensing with the need for substantial commercial runways and considerable technical experience of its operators.{{cite news |last=Wells |first=Jonathan |title=How Cessna's Citation business jets became the thoroughbreds of the sky |url=https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/cessna-citation-business-jet-plane-history-private/ |website=thegentlemansjournal.com |access-date=2 November 2026}} Reactions to the aircraft were mixed, detractors often pointed towards the aircraft's relatively low speed for a jet as being a disadvantage against competitors. Furthermore, the development program would prove to be an expensive pursuit, reportedly ultimately costing $35 million, roughly half the company's total value.{{cite web |url = https://www.bjtonline.com/business-jet-news/cessna-citation-i |title = Aircraft: Cessna Citation I |website = bjtonline.com |first = Mark |last = Huber |date = February 2010}} In October 1968, Cessna announced an eight place business jet capable of operating from airfields accessible to light twins, dispensing with the need for substantial commercial runways and considerable technical experience of its operators.{{cite news |last=Wells |first=Jonathan |title=How Cessna's Citation business jets became the thoroughbreds of the sky |url=https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/cessna-citation-business-jet-plane-history-private/ |website=thegentlemansjournal.com |access-date=2 November 2026}} Reactions to the aircraft were mixed, detractors often pointed towards the aircraft's relatively low speed for a jet as being a disadvantage against competitors. Furthermore, the development program would prove to be an expensive pursuit, reportedly ultimately costing $35 million, roughly half the company's total value.{{cite web |url = https://www.bjtonline.com/business-jet-news/cessna-citation-i |title = Aircraft: Cessna Citation I |website = bjtonline.com |first = Mark |last = Huber |date = February 2010}} The ''Fanjet 500'' [[prototype]] conducted its [[maiden flight]] on September 15, 1969. By then its unit cost was $695,000, ${{inflation|USD|.695|1969|r=2}}M today. Rebranded at the ''500 Citation'', it had a relatively lengthy development program, featuring a longer forward fuselage, repositioned engine nacelles, an enlarged tail unit and greater [[Dihedral (aeronautics)|dihedral]] on the horizontal tail. While Cessna were keen for its first civilian jet to be approved for a single-person operation, the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) were originally reluctant to issue single-pilot certification until sufficient operational experience had been built up. The 500 Citation received [[type certification]] from the FAA on September 9, 1971.{{cite web |url= http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/cessna-500-501-citation-citation-i-citation-isp/157 |title= Cessna 500 & 501 Citation, Citation I & Citation I/SP |work= The International Directory of Civil Aircraft |first= Gerard |last= Frawley |via= Airliners.net}} The ''Fanjet 500'' [[prototype]] conducted its [[maiden flight]] on September 15, 1969. By then its unit cost was $695,000, ${{inflation|USD|.695|1969|r=2}}M today. Rebranded at the ''500 Citation'', it had a relatively lengthy development program, featuring a longer forward fuselage, repositioned engine nacelles, an enlarged tail unit and greater [[Dihedral (aeronautics)|dihedral]] on the horizontal tailplane. While Cessna were keen for its first civilian jet to be approved for a single-person operation, the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) were originally reluctant to issue single-pilot certification until sufficient operational experience had been built up. The 500 Citation received [[type certification]] from the FAA on September 9, 1971.{{cite web |url= http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/cessna-500-501-citation-citation-i-citation-isp/157 |title= Cessna 500 & 501 Citation, Citation I & Citation I/SP |work= The International Directory of Civil Aircraft |first= Gerard |last= Frawley |via= Airliners.net}} In 1974, [[thrust reverser]]s became optional, and in 1976, the gross weight was increased by {{convert|1,000|lb}} to {{convert|10,850|lb}}.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=25}} In early 1976, the wingspan was increased from {{cvt|{{#expr:43+11/12round1}}|to|{{#expr:47+1/12round1}}|ft}}.Taylor 1976, p. 275. The enhanced ''500 Citation I'' was introduced later in 1976 with the higher gross weight, improved [[JT15D]]-1A engines and the increased span wing. Speed and range were enhanced, the aircraft's [[service ceiling]] increased from {{convert|35,000|to|41,000|ft}}, and the cabin pressure at altitude was increased from {{convert|7.6|to|8.6|psi|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=25}} Many of the original Citations, of which 349 were produced, were upgraded with the new engines.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=26}} The ''501 Citation I/SP'', certificated for single [[aircraft pilot|pilot]] operations, was delivered in early 1977. Production ended in 1985, it was developed into the [[Cessna Citation II|Citation II]]/Bravo and the [[Citation V]]/Ultra/Encore. 395 Citations and Citation Is and 296 I/SPs were built between 1971 and 1985.Simpson 1991, p. 111. The aircraft were dropped from production because JT15D engine prices had increased to the point that the price difference between the Citation I and Citation II series had become minimal, causing most buyers to opt for the larger and faster II and II/SP.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=28}} In 1974, [[thrust reverser]]s became optional, and in 1976, the gross weight was increased by {{convert|1,000|lb}} to {{convert|10,850|lb}}.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=25}} In early 1976, the wingspan was increased from {{cvt|{{#expr:43+11/12round1}}|to|{{#expr:47+1/12round1}}|ft}}.Taylor 1976, p. 275. The enhanced ''500 Citation I'' was introduced later in 1976 with the higher gross weight, improved [[JT15D]]-1A engines and the increased span wing. Speed and range were enhanced, the aircraft's [[service ceiling]] increased from {{convert|35,000|to|41,000|ft}}, and the cabin pressure at altitude was increased from {{convert|7.6|to|8.6|psi|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=25}} Many of the original Citations, of which 349 were produced, were upgraded with the new engines.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=26}} The ''501 Citation I/SP'', certificated for single [[aircraft pilot|pilot]] operations, was delivered in early 1977. Production ended in 1985, it was developed into the [[Cessna Citation II|Citation II]]/Bravo and the [[Citation V]]/Ultra/Encore. 395 Citations and Citation Is and 296 I/SPs were built between 1971 and 1985.Simpson 1991, p. 111. The aircraft were dropped from production because JT15D engine prices had increased to the point that the price difference between the Citation I and Citation II series had become minimal, causing most buyers to opt for the larger and faster II and II/SP.{{sfn|Szurovy|1999|p=28}}