Aircraft overview

The Cessna Citation II / Bravo refers to the Model 550 light jet family, developed by Cessna as a stretched, more capable follow on to the original Citation. The Citation II first flew in 1977, with deliveries beginning in 1978 and production continuing into the 1990s. The Citation Bravo, an updated Model 550 variant, first flew in 1995 and was produced from 1997 to 2006. In the used market, the type matters because it combines a straight wing, forgiving handling, short field capability and a cabin sized for owner flown or professionally flown business use.

Performance & specifications

The Citation II is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofans, while the Citation Bravo uses more modern Pratt & Whitney Canada PW530A engines. Typical high speed cruise is in the mid to high 300 knot range for the Citation II and about 400 knots for the Bravo, depending on weight and conditions. Range is commonly quoted around 1,200 nautical miles for the Citation II and up to about 1,500 nautical miles for the Bravo with reserves and suitable profiles. Both variants have a certified ceiling of 43,000 feet. Useful load varies by equipment and interior, but is typically around 5,000 pounds, making payload, fuel and mission planning central to any comparison.

Cabin & avionics

The cabin typically seats six to eight passengers, with a club layout, side facing or belted lavatory options depending on configuration, and an enclosed aft lavatory on many aircraft. The straight wing gives good runway manners, though the cabin cross section is from an earlier generation of light jets. Original Citation II aircraft commonly have Collins, Sperry or Bendix/King avionics, often updated with Garmin GTN navigators, ADS-B, digital transponders and modern displays. The Citation Bravo was delivered with Honeywell Primus 1000 integrated avionics, not Garmin Perspective or G1000 from the factory.

Buying & value

Prospective buyers should separate early Citation II aircraft, S/II models and Bravo aircraft carefully, as engines, systems, avionics and operating costs differ materially. Key review items include engine time and programs, hot section status, corrosion history, logbook continuity, avionics compliance, RVSM status, interior age and weight and balance after upgrades. Bravo aircraft usually command higher values because of the PW530A engines, improved performance and newer production years. Current PlaneFox listing data shows an average asking price near EUR 1,000,000, with observed asking prices from about EUR 336,000 to EUR 1,980,000, reflecting wide variation in variant, condition and modernization.