Cessna 560XL Excel

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Cessna Model: 560XL Nickname: Excel
> 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: 95
> Number of Times Flown: 31
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: C560XLS, 560XL

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 131
> Date First Flown: 10/11/2002
> Location First Flown: Wichita Mid-continent Airport (KICT)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Cessna Flight Test, Don Alexander

Recollections: The first thing I had to figure out about the “Excel” was that, despite it’s designation being “560XL”, it’s a very different airplane than the “560”.  The 560 is actually on the same type rating as the 500 and the 550.  The 560XL (and it’s improved “XLS” version) is a different airplane.  Being new to civilian business jets, this confused me for awhile! It was a total pleasure to get to fly my first flight with Don Alexander, who had many careers in flight test, including USAF, FAA, McDonnell Douglas, and Cessna. Most guys with that amount of experience would probably not give me the time of day…but Don was giving, kind and fun to fly with. What a gentleman! For more information on Don, go to his obituary.

I enjoyed the 560XL, both in flight test and–the best deal ever–doing recurrent type rating training in the actual aircraft, with the FAA at “Hangar 6”, the FAA’s VIP transport squadron.  The airplane is powerful and, really, a “rocket ship”.  Systems-wise it’s very similar to other Cessnas, making it easy to operate.