Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Cessna Model: 560 Nickname: Citation V
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Business Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Multi-engine Land
> Engine Description: Twin Jet

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 9/2/2021
> Number of Hours Flown: 9
> Number of Times Flown: 4
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: Cessna 500 series

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 114
> Date First Flown: 1/29/2002
> Location First Flown: Wichita Mid-continent airport (KICT)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Cessna Flight Test

Recollections: Well, I think I “double-dipped” on this airplane. You’ll see another post for the 500 series Cessnas that, honestly, should probably be combined. But, it’s too late now! (I’ve spent hours assembling the records, compiling the models and flight times, etc…and it appears I should’ve combined these. Oh, well, take one off the list!)

This airplane may hold the record for the most derivative models…the ones I flew (the CE-560, in “Ultra” and “Encore” versions) trace their lineage to the original CE-500 (Citation I) business jet.  The saying “a Citation is a Citation” is true…they all fly similarly, honestly, and the cockpit layout is very consistent.  That said, the engines and avionics have been changed significantly throughout the development of derivatives, and–of course–the fuselage has been stretched, the wing changed and the gross weight increased.  The real smart Cessna aficionados can tell you the model number by the number of windows. 

Proof of its commonality and consistency comes in the type rating.  I have a “CE-500” type rating, which covers the whole line, from 500 Citation I, thru latest 560 Citation V.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Beechcraft (or Hawker, or British Aerospace) Model: 400 Nickname: Beechjet
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Business Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Multi-engine Land
> Engine Description: Twin jet

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 9/2/2021
> Number of Hours Flown: 10
> Number of Times Flown: 5
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond, USAF T-1 Jayhawk, Nextant 400XT

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 121
> Date First Flown: 4/11/2002
> Location First Flown: Beech Field, Wichita, KS (KBEC)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Beechcraft Flight Test

Recollections: All my flying in the Beechjet were done on projects while working for the FAA as a test pilot in Wichita, KS.  The tests involved VHF radios, Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), and a new type of paint for the radome on the front of the airplane.   This airplane, which was originally designed by a Japanese company–Mitsubishi–in 1978, was produced until 2009 by a variety of manufacturers, the last being Hawker Beechcraft.  

The plane flew honestly and I could see why the USAF had selected it as their “big airplane pilot” training jet.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Raytheon (Beechcraft) Model: 390 Nickname: Premier I
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Business Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Multi-engine Land
> Engine Description: Twin jet

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 9/2/2021
> Number of Hours Flown: 30.2
> Number of Times Flown: 18
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: n/a

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 122
> Date First Flown: 4/24/2002
> Location First Flown: Beech Field, Wichita, KS (KBEC)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Beechcraft Flight Test

Recollections: This business jet could be called a “Hot Rod”.  It’s an amazing airplane, certified under Part 23 (small airplane), even though it’s swept-wing design flies into the high flight levels at high speeds.  It’s also single piloted!  To achieve this single-pilot designation, it was required to have a checklist system that utilized a series of yoke-mounted buttons to select and advance thru checklists.  Pretty slick for a design of this vintage.  

My first flight in the airplane was behind an Icing Tanker (King Air) operated by Beechcraft.  We were investigating an in-service issue concerning wing anti-ice.  Most of my work on this design–which had been already certified by the time I started working in Wichita–concerned either follow-on safety issues or simple production audits.  My memories of the airplane were that it was quite capable and would be high on my list to own if I had the budget!  I also learned (from my boss, the venerable Gerry Baker) about how to assess stall characteristics in a swept wing jet in part 23.  These lessons would serve me well later in my career.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Cessna Model: 525 Nickname: Citation or CJ
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Business Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Multi-engine Land
> Engine Description: Twin jet

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 9/2/2021
> Number of Hours Flown: 54
> Number of Times Flown: 27
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: CJ, CJ1, CJ2, CJ3

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 115
> Date First Flown: 2/4/2002
> Location First Flown: Wichita Mid-continent airport (KICT)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Cessna Production Audit

Recollections:
My first few flights in this airplane were a mix of production audits (a good way to get to know a design) and RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums).  I later did autopilot, takeoff performance and flight control malfunction tests.  The “CJ” is a wonderful airplane that has been upgraded (avionics, engines, stretch) several times and is a very commercially successful airplane.  I’d love to own one!