Photograph:
Cessna 560 Citation V Ultra VH-PSU (c/n 560-0515) of the Queensland Police Service at Bankstown, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
Two 3,045 lbst Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5D turbofans
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 15.91 m (52 ft 2½ in)
- Length: 14.9 m (48 ft 10¾ in)
- Height: 4.57 m (15 ft)
- Wing area: 31.83 m² (342.6 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed at 10,670 m (35,000 ft): 796 km/h (495 mph)
- Stalling speed flaps down: 152 km/h (95 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 1,289 m/min (4,230 ft/min)
- Max certified altitude: 13,715 m (45,000 ft)
- Range with five passengers: 3,630 km (2,255 miles)
- Empty weight: 4,196 kg (9,250 lb)
- Loaded weight: 7,393 kg (16,300 lb)
History:
The Cessna 560 Citation series was introduced to the Cessna range at the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) Convention in New Orleans in 1987, the prototype Citation V (N560CC) flying in August that year. The largest of the straight wing members of the Citation series, it was produced in three models, the Citation V, Citation Ultra, and Citation Encore.
The Citation V was based on the Citation II and SP series, but variations over the smaller aircraft included more powerful engines, a slight stretch in the fuselage length allowing seating in standard configuration for up to eight passengers, and other minor improvements.
A total of 262 Citation Vs was built before production was switched in 1994 to the Ultra, a similar but updated aircraft. Whereas the Citation V had Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5A turbofans, the Citation Ultra had Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5D engines and Honeywell Primus 1000EFIS avionics with three CRT displays. In 1998, at that year’s NBAA Convention Cessna announced the Citation Encore, this new model introducing Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535 engines, trailing link main undercarriage, more fuel, updated interior and other improvements. The prototype of this model first flew on 9 July 2000.
A number of examples of this series have been registered in this area. The type has also been obtained for a number of air forces, including the Spanish Air Force, which had two SLAR-equipped aircraft, these being designated the TR.20. The type has also been operated by the US Army as the UC-35A, and by the US Air Force as the OT-47B, the latter being tracker aircraft with modified Northrop Grumman AN/APG-66 radar and the WF-360 IR tracking system from the same manufacturer.
Examples of the Citation V series registered in this region have included: VH-HEY (c/n 560-0009) from January 1995 to October 1998 when it was exported as N77HN; VH-NTH (c/n560-0041) from January 1991 to June 1999 when it was exported as N400KS; VH-NHJ (c/n 560-0108) from September 1991 to August 1994 when it was exported as N777KY; and VH-FHJ (c/n 560-02178) from January 1995 to December 2001 when it was exported as N560EM.
Citation Ultras have included: VH-SMF (c/n560-0320) from December 1999 with Maroomba Airlines of Perth, WA; VH-XTT (c/n560-0417) from July 1999 to June 2004 when it was exported as N525BA; and VH-PSU (c/n560-0515) from March 1999 with the Queensland Police Service.
Examples have also been registered in New Zealand, one becoming ZK-AWK (c/n 560-0396 -ex N596VP) with Airwork Flight Operations of Auckland in November 2009.