Cessna Citation II
Cessna · USA · first flew 1977 · light aircraft
The Citation II (Model 550) is the stretched and re-engined Citation, adding 1.14 m of fuselage for more cabin capacity and more powerful JT15D-4 engines — the additional cabin window per side is the quickest external distinguisher from the Citation I, and the type became one of Cessna's best-selling business jets.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fuselage stretched by 1.28 m vs Citation I — six cabin windows per side vs the Citation I's four, a count-based distinguisher visible from the ramp or in flight |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Fuselage stretched by 1.28 m vs Citation I — six cabin windows per side vs the Citation I's four, a count-based distinguisher visible from the ramp or in flight
- JT15D-4 engines (vs Citation I's JT15D-1A) with slightly different nacelle dimensions — more thrust, same aft-fuselage pod position
- Extended nose with a longer avionics bay and reshaped windscreen frame gives the Citation II a more 'grown-up' nose profile than the Citation I's blunter snout
Against Citation I/SP: count cabin windows — six per side (II) vs four per side (I). The longer fuselage and wider wingspan are visible in direct comparison; the window count works at ramp distance. Against Citation S/II (Model 551): same window count but the S/II has a kinked/swept wing leading edge vs the Citation II's straight leading edge. Against Citation III/VI/VII: those marks have swept wings and are substantially larger. Against the Learjet: Citation II has aft-pod engines and T-tail.
Specifications
- The Cessna Citation II has a length of 14.54 m (48 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.91 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 746 km/h (464 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flew 31 January 1977; FAA certification 1978; over 600 built through 1984 when the Citation S/II replaced it. The Citation II became extremely popular with charter and corporate operators as a step up from the Citation I. The US Navy and USAF flew T-47A variants for navigator training. The S/II added a supercritical wing section for better performance.
Variants
Citation II (Model 550), Citation S/II (Model 551, supercritical wing, 1984), T-47A (US Navy navigator trainer, 15 built), Citation II/SP (single-pilot certified variant).
Where you'll see it
Worldwide business aviation from 1978. T-47A with US Navy Training Wing Six, NAS Pensacola, through the 1990s. Citation IIs remain active in large numbers globally — one of the most common small business jets.
Related aircraft
- Cessna 152
- Cessna Citation I SP
- Cessna 303 Crusader
- Cessna 425 Conquest I
- Alexander Schleicher ASW 20
- AmeriPlanes Mitchell Wing A-10
- Christen Eagle II
- DG-200
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