Cessna Citation II

2 × Turbofan Pressurized Low Wing • Retractable

Range Map

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+ cargo

Payload vs. Range

Occupants:

Fuel on board

Cargo

Range

Cargo is additional payload after occupants and baggage.

Adjust payload

full tanks

Available Range / nm

Mission capable. This load flies with full fuel.

Fuel reduced by . left aboard for nm range.

Over max payload by . At this load it cannot lift a single occupant.

Trip Preview

Mission Profile

Used market

385

KTAS

Cruise Speed

1,520

Max Range

43,000

Service Ceiling

Occupants

1,479

lbs

Wet Payload

Endorsements & ratings:

High-Altitude
Pressurization
Multi-Engine
Instrument

Cessna Citation II (N89GA) at Daytona Beach, August 2022. Photo: ZLEA, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Estimated Ownership Costs

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About the Cessna Citation II

Type certificated 1978

Overview

The Cessna Citation II (Model 550) is the stretched, higher-capacity development of the original Cessna Citation I. Introduced in 1978 and built through 1994, it lengthened the Model 500 fuselage for a true eight-seat cabin, fitted Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4 turbofans of 2,500 lbf each, and raised cruise and ceiling while keeping the docile, short-field manners that made the Citation line a favorite of flight departments stepping up from cabin-class turboprops.

For the GA buyer, the Citation II is the value-volume light jet of the straight-wing family: a large in-service fleet gives it a deep parts and maintenance network, and handling forgiving enough for a first-jet transition, at a direct operating cost near 1,709 USD per hour. As with the rest of the JT15D family, engine overhaul economics dominate the ownership budget, so a clean engine status at pre-buy carries outsized weight.

Key Features for GA Buyers

Deep support network. A large in-service fleet gives the Model 550 a broad pool of parts, maintenance expertise, and type-rated crews in the light-jet bracket.
Short-field access. The straight wing lets a loaded Citation II operate from runways under 3,500 ft, reaching regional fields that swept-wing competitors clear only with a payload penalty.
True eight-seat cabin. The stretch over the Citation I yields a genuine eight-passenger executive cabin with a stand-alone lavatory, a meaningful step up in usable capacity.
Forgiving first-jet manners. Approach speeds near 100 KIAS and straightforward systems make the II an approachable owner-flown jet.

Trade-offs

JT15D overhaul economics. The JT15D-4 turbofans are reliable and parts-supported, but a hot-section or full-overhaul event is a major capital cost; budget the reserve accordingly.
Block speed. A max cruise near 385 KTAS is faster than the Citation I but still trails swept-wing competitors on longer legs, the enduring straight-wing trade.
Two-pilot operation. The standard Model 550 is not single-pilot certificated; owner-operator economics must include a second pilot or contract crew. The Model 551 II/SP variant addresses this at reduced MTOW.
First-generation avionics. Most Model 550s shipped with 1980s panels; expect to factor an avionics upgrade or accept legacy equipment in a pre-buy.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions & Weights

Height: 15 ft
Length: 47 ft
Parking area (ft²²): 3,253 ft²

Max Takeoff Weight: 15,100 lbs
Max Landing Weight: 13,500 lbs
Useful Load: 6,450 lbs
Fuel Capacity: Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 742 gal

Performance

Cruise Speed: 385 KTAS
Never-Exceed (V_NE): Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 260 KIAS
Max Structural Cruise (V_NO): Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 260 KIAS
Approach Speed: 99 KIAS
Stall, Clean (V_S₁): 82 KIAS
Range: 1520 NM
Service Ceiling: 43,000 ft
Rate of Climb: 3040 fpm
Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle: 2,990 ft
Landing over 50 ft obstacle: 2,270 ft

Engines

Sources

Where the figures on this page come from. Cessna Citation II specifications are traced to published references; estimated values are flagged inline next to the figure.

EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.207 (Issue 10, 06 Jul 2022), Section 2 Model 550 Citation II www.easa.europa.eu

2 × Jet Low Wing Used market

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