Cessna Citation V/Ultra/Encore

Overview

The Cessna Citation V / Ultra / Encore (Model 560 series) is the cabin-class light jet that succeeded the Citation II family at the upper end of the straight-wing Citation lineage, in production from 1989 through 2010 across four major variants. The original Citation V (1989 to 1994, JT15D-5A turbofans, captain-side EFIS) was followed by the Citation Ultra (1994 to 1999, JT15D-5D, full Honeywell Primus 1000 glass cockpit), the Citation Encore (2000 to 2006, PW535A turbofans, redesigned interior), and the Encore+ (2007 to 2010, PW535B with FADEC and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics). 774 airframes were built across all variants, with the Ultra accounting for the largest single block at 279 aircraft. The published figures on this page reflect the Encore specification; the Ultra is broadly comparable on cruise and ceiling but with lower thrust, climb rate, and runway performance.

For the GA buyer, the Citation V series offers the most refined version of the straight-wing Citation formula. The Encore and Encore+ in particular pair owner-friendly handling and short-field access with cabin volume and 45,000 ft ceiling that compete directly with the modern Citation CJ3 / CJ4 and Embraer Phenom 300 brackets. The Ultra remains the value choice on the resale market, with operating economics close to the Bravo but meaningfully more capability. Engine choice drives the variant decision: the PW535-series Encore aircraft trade higher acquisition cost for substantially lower hot-section economics than the older JT15D-5 family.

Key Features for GA Buyers

• 45,000 ft service ceiling. Direct climb to FL410 to FL450 is operationally routine, putting the type above weather and most jet traffic on cross-country missions.
• Short field at this performance class. A 3,490 ft takeoff distance over 50 ft (Encore) at MTOW gives the V series access to thousands of regional fields that bracket-competitive jets cannot use without payload penalty.
• Modernised flight deck on Ultra and later. The full Honeywell Primus 1000 glass cockpit appeared with the Ultra; the Encore+ moved to Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 with FADEC, narrowing the gap to current-production light jets.
• PW535A and PW535B engines. The Encore family’s Pratt & Whitney PW535 turbofans deliver 3,400 to 3,500 lbf thrust and 5,000 hr TBO, materially better than the JT15D-5 series in both performance and overhaul economics.

Trade-offs

• Variant span is wide. A 1989 Citation V and a 2010 Encore+ share the slug but differ substantially in engines, panel, and operating economics. Pre-buy and ownership planning must be variant-specific.
• Required two-pilot operation. None of the 560-series variants are single-pilot certificated. Owner-operator economics must include a full second pilot or contract crewing.
• Acquisition cost step-up. The Encore and Encore+ command a meaningful premium over the Ultra, and a substantial premium over a comparable Bravo. The cabin and ceiling justify the step-up, but the value depends on mission profile.
• Older variants carry hot-section exposure. JT15D-5A and JT15D-5D engines are reliable but their hot-section costs scale with hours; the PW535-equipped Encore family resolves this trade-off but costs more to acquire.

See Also

• Cessna Citation II / Bravo – direct down-step in the same straight-wing Citation family. Compare
• Cessna Citation I – the foundational straight-wing Citation, two cabin steps down. Compare
• Cessna Citation Excel / XLS – the modern mid-light Citation that succeeded the V series at the upper end of this bracket. Compare
• Cessna Citation Mustang – modern entry-level Citation, single-pilot certified from the start. Compare
• Beech Super King Air 350 – the turboprop alternative for owners prioritising operating cost over speed in the same cabin class. Compare