The Federal Aviation Administration has ended long-running single-pilot exemptions for older Cessna Citation jets certified for two pilots, forcing affected operators to use a qualified second-in-command on the covered aircraft. The change applies to legacy CE-500-family models including the Citation 500, 550, S/II, 552, 560, Ultra, Bravo, Encore and Encore+, while single-pilot-certified Citation Mustang and CJ-family aircraft are excluded.
The policy follows an FAA review that found widespread noncompliance among exemption holders and safety concerns tied to the older jets. The agency also cited accident data showing a higher accident rate for certain Part 25 CE-500 aircraft flown single-pilot than for single-pilot-certified Citation variants. Training-provider exemptions will be withdrawn separately, closing a workaround that had existed for about four decades.
The notice was set for Federal Register publication on 28 September and to take effect on 29 September. Pilots who previously relied on the exemptions will lose their single-pilot privileges in the affected aircraft, although a qualifying proficiency check may still count towards pilot-in-command requirements in two-pilot operations.