CESSNA CITATION EXCEL

• Passengers 9

The Cessna Citation Excel (XL) is one of the most popular and best selling private jets in the world. One of the key reasons for its popularity is that it provides a perfect entry into the medium-sized cabin class, with a spacious interior, large baggage hold, and space to seat eight passengers.

About this aircraft

• Since 1998, the Cessna Citation Excel has been one of the most popular private jets to charter in the competitive mid-size jet category.
• The aircraft comfortably fits eight people, however, in some configurations, there is an additional seat available to allow for an extra passenger if required.
• Its takeoff and landing capabilities allow the aircraft to access airports with small runways, including Cannes Airport, Lugano Airport and Bern Airport, and airports that require steep approaches like London City Airport.
• The compartment provides 80 cubic feet of storage space, along with some additional space in an internal closet. It is spacious enough to fit 4-6 Golf Bags, 7-8 Suitcases and 4-6 pairs of skis.
• The manufacturer Cessna has subsequently improved the original Excel model and released the improved XLS and XLS+ versions.

The Cessna Citation Excel is a turbofan-powered, medium-sized business jet built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. By 2004, over 300 Excel aircraft had been built and delivered. It continues to be one of the most popular mid-sized aircraft on the market - especially in Europe and in the US - due to its long-term performance, low operational costs and spacious interior.

Interior design

The standard Cessna Citation Excel is one of the roomiest mid-range jets on the market with eight seats in the main cabin, a separate enclosed toilet and, upon request, an additional side-facing seat in the rear of the cabin.

The six large reclining seats in the middle of the cabin provide plenty of legroom and views through the large windows. The two seats at the front face a contemporary minibar area adjacent to the cockpit. Most aircraft come complete with exceptional leathers and fabrics, hand-finished wood veneer cabinet surfaces, modern silver finishes, and a set of CD/DVD players with individual screens.

Some Citation Excels (and XLSs) have been retrofitted via the Citation Excel Eagle program, making the interior look brand new.

Below is the standard configuration found on a Cessna Citation Excel.

Interesting facts to learn before you fly

• Cessna created the Citation Excel based on a comprehensive customer survey.
• With a cabin measuring 18.6 feet long by 5.5 feet wide by 5.8 feet high (461 cubic feet in total), the Citation Excel is one of the largest mid-range jets on the market.
• The aircraft has plenty of storage space, ideal for those travelling with golf clubs or bulky luggage. The cargo compartment is accessible from the outside and offers a load capacity of 2.25m3.
• The aircraft’s ability to land on short runways, its spacious interior, large baggage hold, overall range and comparatively low operational costs have made it one of the most popular private jets on the market for over 20 years.
• Some Citation Excels (and XLSs) have been retrofitted via the Citation Excel Eagle program, making the interior look like new.

Technological features

Two Pratt & Whitney PW545A engines power the Citation Excel each offering 3,804 pounds of thrust and using a combined 217 gallons per hour (GPH).

The Citation Excel was designed with the pilot in mind. The Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics suite allows pilots to simply consolidate multiple displays into a few easy-to-interpret ones spread across three sleek screens. This pilot-conscious design also allows pilots to observe relevant information close to the controls to which they apply. This information is also located directly on the screens’ faceplates to improve pilot hand-eye coordination and flight performance. Some aircraft may have been upgraded to a Garmin G5000 system.

History

With the success of the Citation VII and Citation X, world-renowned manufacturer Cessna saw a market for a mid-range private aircraft to compete with the traditional twin-turboprop aircraft that didn’t require the record-breaking performance specifications of the Citation X.

The project was announced at the NBAA convention in October 1994, with the prototype taking its first official flight two years later in February 1996. Such was the anticipation around this aircraft, when the Federal Aviation Administration certified the Citation 560XL in 1998, Cessna already had over 200 orders. The manufacturer produced over 300 Citation Excels before attention switched to the Citation XLS, which it made its first delivery of in early 2004.

Manufacturer

Cessna is a general aviation manufacturer based in Kansas that’s been in operation since 1927. The company was established by farmer and mechanic Clyde V. Cessna, who assembled his first plane from a kit using his own water-cooled engines. Cessna became famous for manufacturing small piston-powered aircraft for private and business use.

In 1940, Cessna signed a contract to produce 33 Cessna T-50s for the US Army and later made 180 for the Canadian Air Force. The company expanded to manufacture corporate jets and has since become the industry’s leading private jet manufacturer. Its Citation XLS range is one of the most popular on the market.

In 1985, Cessna was bought by General Dynamics, before being purchased 10 years later by Textron, a global aerospace, security, defence and technology conglomerate that specialises in creating bespoke mission-specific jets for the government, military and commercial customers. Today, Cessna produces turboprops, pistons and private jets.

Cost

The acquisition cost for this jet depends on the production year but, typically, a new one can cost around $10 million USD (pre-owned can be within $4-5 million USD). Although this is relatively high compared to other medium-sized jets, the economical performance and lower overall running costs means the operational cost savings often significantly outweigh the higher purchase price in a very short period of time.

Charter rates

Charter rates for the Cessna Citation Excel can vary greatly depending on the length of the journey you have planned, as well as the airports you decide to fly in and out of.

If you would like to book a private charter flight on the Cessna Citation Excel then why not contact our offices? For information on other private jets available for charter, browse our list of available private aircraft.

Wet-Lease rates

ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) Wet-Lease rates for the Cessna Citation Excel can vary depending on the age of the aircraft, length of the lease term, the number of block hours being guaranteed and the average cycle ratio.