CESSNA 550

The Cessna 550 is a family of light business jets developed by Cessna, with the Citation II (Model 550) being the first model in the series. Stretched from the earlier Citation I, the Citation II offered increased cabin space, higher cruise speeds, and longer range due to more powerful engines and increased fuel capacity. Variants include the single-pilot II/SP, the improved S/II (Model S550), and the later Citation Bravo, which featured updated avionics and engines.

Key features and development:

• Origin: A direct development of the Citation I, the Citation II was designed to address the Citation I's slower cruise speed.
• Fuselage: The fuselage was stretched to increase seating capacity to ten (two pilots and eight passengers).
• Engines: It was equipped with more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4 engines.
• Performance: The Citation II provided higher cruise speeds and a longer range compared to its predecessor.
• Variants:
• Citation II/SP: A version designed for single-pilot operation.
• S550 Citation S/II: An improved model with increased fuel capacity, a longer range, and added TKS fluid de-icing.
• Citation Bravo: An upgrade to the II series with new P&WC PW530A engines and modern Primus 1000 avionics.
• Production: Production for the Citation II ended in 1994 after 603 aircraft were built, while the entire 550 series production continued until 2006.
• Applications: In addition to business use, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Customs & Border Protection operated these aircraft for radar system training and other purposes