Citation CJ1
The Citation CJ1 is a jet built for Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas, part of the company’s popular Model 525 CitationJet family of airplanes. The airplane was the first of these planes and was introduced in 1989, as a replacement for the Citation models. The main reason for the development of the airplane was the need for a single pilot airplane. This allowed business people to fly themselves to meetings or to hire only one pilot to fly the airplane.
Another advantage of the CJ1 is its ability to take off on short runways. Fully loaded the plane needs only a 3,200 foot runway to take off. The plane is also able to carry a payload of 1,400 pounds. The plane is powered by two Williams FJ44-1AP turbofan engines. The edition of this engine gave the Cessna plane the advantages of increased payload and allowed the plane to perform steeper climbs.
The Citation CJ1 prototype was first unveiled at the National Business Aviation Association show in October, 1989. The plane’s first flight was on April 29, 1991. The plane was certified by the government in December, 1992. However, delivery of the plane did not begin until 2000 when 52 planes were produced.
The plane is very popular with business people who love that the plane can take off on a shorter runway. This allows the business person more flexibility on where they can land, often avoiding long security wait times. The business person also loves the spacious feeling of the cabin with its dropped floor.
The Citation CJ1 is particularly popular on short range flights of around an hour. Some popular flights are from Los Angeles to Aspen, Colorado for a quick skiing trip, and Washington D.C. to Miami, Florida, for a quick weekend on the beach.
