Aircraft
Cessna Citation 500 Type Certification Marks 50 Years
The first model of the Cessna Citation family of business jets received FAA type certification on Sept. 9, 1971.
Cessna executives, including then-president Duane Wallace (second from left), and test pilots gather around a Citation Model 500 following its first flight on Sept. 15, 1969. (Photo: Textron Aviation)
Cessna executives, including then-president Duane Wallace (second from left), and test pilots gather around a Citation Model 500 following its first flight on Sept. 15, 1969. (Photo: Textron Aviation)

Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of FAA type certification for the Cessna Citation 500, arguably creating the biggest-selling product line of business jets. It was on Sept. 9, 1971, that the FAA awarded the certification to the aircraft's Wichita airframer, launching a line of light, midsize, and super-midsize business jets for Textron Aviation that continues today.