Cessna
FAA Administrator Considers Restoring Single-Pilot Operations For Cessna Citations
Federal aviation officials might explore pathways to return single-pilot privileges to certain older Cessna Citation jets through specific training programs and aircraft modifications.
Following a recent policy decision by the Federal Aviation Administration on September 29 to pull back exemptions that permitted certain Citation 500-series models to fly with just one pilot despite holding two-pilot certifications, agency leadership has expressed willingness to review alternative options. The affected lineup includes the Citation I, II, V, Ultra, Bravo, and Encore variants. The initial rollback stemmed from widespread noncompliance among training providers alongside safety worries uncovered during an internal program evaluation.
According to findings released in an FAA policy notice, an examination spanning 18 years of accident data revealed that affected Citations flown by a single pilot suffered roughly double the accident rate of comparable Part 23 Citation models officially approved for single-pilot use. The federal agency based this comparative analysis on aircraft counts instead of total flight hours.
Industry groups, including the National Business Aviation Association and the Citation Jet Pilots Association, have raised questions regarding the validity of the underlying data. These organizations urged the agency to temporarily suspend the policy rescissions while stakeholders evaluate alternative safety measures.
During the Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas, Kristie Greco Johnson, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Business Aviation Association, addressed FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. She stated that compelling data could point toward a method allowing single-pilot operations when combined with supplemental type certification and specialized training.
In response, Administrator Bedford noted that the agency remains open to reviewing proposals that incorporate additional pilot training and aircraft modifications. He emphasized that the primary criterion for granting any exemption involves finding an alternative that delivers an equivalent level of safety.
While Bedford characterized the supplemental type certification concept as worthy of further examination, the federal agency has not yet established a timeline for altering its current policy or restoring single-pilot privileges.