The Cessna Citation 501 has served nobly in a variety of roles over the course of the last three decades. A smooth-flying machine with decent range and single-pilot simplicity, the 501 (also known as the Citation I/SP) already holds a hallowed place in business aviation history as one of the original entry-level jets. From 1977 through 1984, Cessna built 339 of the Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-powered airplanes, familiar to this day at airports around the world and in use primarily as personal aircraft, corporate transports and air ambulances.
A used Citation I/SP in good shape and with mostly original equipment today sells for well under $2 million. And since the end of its production run, there have been a number of engine and avionics modification packages developed for the venerable twinjet, allowing the airplane to ease in to middle age quite gracefully. With so much going for it, it is little wonder that the first single-pilot Citation from Cessna is still one of the most popular light jets ever manufactured.
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