The Cessna Citation Excel series is a remarkable line of business jets that have significantly impacted the midsize jet market. The Citation Excel/XLS/XLS+ series has been one of the world’s best-selling business jet lines, with over 1,000 aircraft delivered.

Textron Aviation Cessna 560XL

Photo: Textron Aviation

In their segment of the midsize jet market, the Citation Excel has consistently commanded a 60% market share, compared to 40% for the also popular Learjet 45. Textron has extended Excel’s lease on product life with the new Citation Ascend, an evolutionary development of the Citation Excel – Here’s a look at what makes this series so unique:

Cessna Citation Excel

Role

Business jet

Manufacturer

Cessna, Textron Aviation

First Flight

February 29, 1996

Status

Active In Production

Number Built

>1,000

Developed From

Cessna Citation V, Cessna Citation X

Developed Into

Cessna Citation Sovereign

Citation Excel design and performance

The Citation Excel combines elements from different Cessna aircraft to create a unique and highly effective design. It features a shortened Citation X stand-up cabin fuselage and uses a lengthened Citation V wing, also incorporating the tail from the Citation V.

This combination results in an aircraft with excellent short-field performance (takeoff distance of 3,590 ft), high cruise speed (423 kts maximum), and impressive range (1,657 nm with four passengers).

Cabin Comfort

One of the Excel’s standout features is its spacious cabin. The aircraft has an interior volume of 422 cubic feet. The 5’7″ cabin height allows for stand-up comfort, and the 5’7″ cabin width provides a large aircraft feeling. The Excel is typically configured for eight passengers but can accommodate up to 10. There are 11 windows for ample natural light.

Citation Ascend Cabin 001

Photo: Textron Aviation | Cessna

Engine and Efficiency

The Excel series uses Pratt & Whitney Canada PW500 engines. The Citation Excel is powered by the PW545A engines (3,804 lb thrust each). The XLS has upgraded the PW545B engines for improved performance.

Cessna further upgraded the XLS+ to the PW545C engines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). These engines provide an excellent balance of power and fuel efficiency.

Avionics

The avionics suite has evolved across the series:

  • Excel: Honeywell Primus 1000 three-screen EFIS
  • XLS: Upgraded to a glass cockpit with all-digital EFIS displays
  • XLS+: Collins Pro Line 21 Avionics with a four-screen LCD EFIS display
  • Excel and XLS may be upgraded to Garmin 5000

As an avionics upgrade, the Cessna Citation Excel and Citation XLS can be equipped with the Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck. The Garmin G5000 retrofit is available for these models. This upgrade replaces the original Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics that came standard on these aircraft.

G5000_Cockpit_Excel

Photo: Garmin

The G5000 upgrade modernizes the cockpit with three 14-inch LCDs, touchscreen controls, and advanced features like synthetic vision, electronic charts, and WAAS/LPV approach capability. As of October 2021, Garmin announced that 10% of the eligible Citation Excel/XLS fleet had been retrofitted with the G5000 integrated flight deck.

The G5000 upgrade is available through Textron Aviation Service Centers and select Garmin Authorized Dealers. The Garmin retrofit updates the avionics of older Citation Excel and XLS aircraft, bringing them more in line with modern flight deck technology and enhancing their operational capabilities and retained value.

Market Success

The Excel series has been highly successful in the market.

  • Over 1,000 aircraft delivered across all variants
  • Excel: 371 built between 1998 and 2004
  • XLS: 330 built between 2004 and 2008
  • XLS+: Introduced in 2008 and still in production
  • The success compelled Textron Aviation to design the next in the series, the Ascend.

Operating Costs and Efficiency

The Excel series is known for its lower operating costs than other midsize jets. This efficiency makes it attractive to both private owners and on-demand charter operators.

Versatility

The Excel’s combination of short-field performance, comfortable cabin, and decent range makes it highly versatile. It can access smaller airports while providing the comfort and capabilities expected of a midsize jet.

Safety Record

The Citation Excel has a good safety record. Out of the large number of Citation Excels produced only eleven accidents have occurred.

One of those, however, was a significant crash that made news. On August 13, 2014, a Cessna Citation Excel 560XLS+ crashed while attempting to land at Santos Air Force Base near Santos, Brazil. The crash killed all seven people on board, including Brazilian presidential candidate Eduardo Campos.

Essential details about this accident:

  • It occurred during poor weather conditions while the flight crew attempted to land.
  • The investigation concluded that spatial disorientation in poor weather and pilot fatigue likely caused a loss of control at low altitude, leading to the crash.
  • The Brazil accident was the first fatal crash of a Citation Excel since the model entered service in 1996.
  • The aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder had been inoperative since January 2013, which was against regulations.

The Cessna Citation Excel falls under the CE-560XL type rating. Specifically, The CE-560XL type rating covers the Citation Excel, the Citation XLS, and the Citation XLS+. Some key points about the CE-560XL type rating:

  • It is a distinct type rating from other Citation models like the CE-500 or CE-525 series.
  • It requires a separate type rating course and check ride to obtain.
  • The Excel has not been approved for single-pilot operation, so a crew of two pilots is required.
  • Pilots must complete initial type rating training to act as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) on the Excel/XLS/XLS+ models.
  • Second-in-command (SIC) type ratings are also available for the CE-560XL, allowing pilots to serve as co-pilots.
  • Recurrent training is required annually per 14 CFR §61.57 to maintain currency on the type.

Cessna’s Citation Excel line stands out for its unique combination of cabin comfort, performance, efficiency, and versatility. Its success in the market, continued production of the XLS+ model, and upcoming certification of the Citation Ascend attest to its enduring appeal in the midsize business jet category.

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