Aircraft overview

The Cessna Citation V / Ultra / Encore is the Model 560 family of straight wing business jets from Cessna, developed from the Citation II and Citation S/II line. The Citation V first flew in 1987 and entered production in 1989, followed by the Citation Ultra in the mid 1990s and the Citation Encore from 2000. The later Encore+ continued the line with updated avionics. In the used market, the family sits between smaller legacy Citations and larger cabin midsize jets, valued for short field capability, simple systems and a cabin that is practical for regional business missions.

Performance & specifications

Typical high speed cruise is in the low 420 knot range for the Citation V and Ultra, with the Encore commonly quoted around 430 knots. Maximum operating altitude is 45,000 feet. NBAA IFR range varies by variant, payload, reserves and equipment, but the family is generally used for missions of about 1,500 to 1,900 nautical miles. Useful load is equipment dependent, with many aircraft falling in roughly the 6,500 to 7,200 lb range. Powerplants are a key distinction: the Citation V uses Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5A engines, the Ultra uses JT15D-5D engines, and the Encore uses PW535A engines with improved thrust and efficiency.

Cabin & avionics

The cabin typically seats seven or eight passengers, often with a forward side facing seat, a club arrangement, additional forward facing seats and an aft belted lavatory. The cabin is about 17 feet long, with a flat floor not present in later larger Citations, so buyers should evaluate comfort against mission length. Factory avionics differ by generation. Citation V aircraft commonly have Honeywell flight decks, while the Ultra and Encore are typically equipped with Honeywell Primus 1000 integrated avionics. Encore+ aircraft moved to Collins Pro Line 21. Common upgrades include WAAS LPV capability, ADS-B Out, modern transponders, Garmin GTN navigators and refreshed cockpit displays.

Buying & value

Buyers should separate the variants carefully. The Ultra brings stronger performance and a widely supported avionics baseline compared with the original Citation V. The Encore adds PW535A engines, higher gross weights and refinements, while the Encore+ is a later avionics update. Review engine status, hot section and overhaul timing, corrosion inspections, landing gear events, avionics modernization, paint, interior age and compliance with current mandates. On PlaneFox listings, recent asking prices average about EUR 1,850,000, with examples ranging from about EUR 1,110,000 to EUR 3,010,000, reflecting variant, engine program status, avionics and overall condition.