I’ve had a tremendous amount of fun fixing up and selling legacy Citations. I’ve had a chance to fly pretty much all of them and met a lot of nice people along the way. This time I wanted to build one just for me with my own colors exactly how I wanted it. Here are some progress pictures. I’m not doing all glass on the panel but I’m installing a 750 and a Garmin radar. The leather is a very high-quality camel colored Ferrari leather. I found this low time beauty from a guy in Venezuela but it’s always been maintained in Orlando at the service center so I was comfortable with that. Seriously it’s not for sale this is mine!!

I put a lot of love into all these airplanes but this one has Has taken everything I’ve learned over the years and been a real restoration to new condition.

There is so much bang for the buck on these airplanes, the 550 was my first jet and loved it to pieces..

You cannot imagine how much Bondo is on a old citation or a new citation. I specifically did not fill a single seam on the airplane. It’s a metal airplane and seams should show. Problem with filling all the seams is they crack overtime and look terrible. I can’t quantify how much weight I saved probably 100 pounds of filler and high build primer.

I flew right seat a bit in a 501SP with the -4 engines, and the extra fuel wing root mod. It did OK at FL330 and would make FL400 after and hour and a half of burning off fuel. Later on, that plane got scrapped since it needed engines that cost more than the entire plane was worth.

What engines does yours have?

I have 1As. That’s a sad and unnecessary story about scrapping that airplane I wish they would’ve called me. You can get a 501 up to 410 with full fuel and 4 people after about 1.5 hours

Looks nice. Your enthusiasm for the Citations is very contagious. There is just something sitting up at FL400 flying above most airliners and weather that I just have to pinch myself to make sure it’s not a dream. I’m glad I was able to finally get one before I time out on flying after 48 years of it.

Nice Mike; hope it turns out as nice as the Widgeon!

Stunning!
Who did the paint and interior?

I love reading about your Citation And Helicopter work and flying!! Thanks for keeping these in the air!!

Stunning!
Who did the paint and interior?

I enjoy following along on your citation adventures, and wondering if someday I can justify a move from the Conquest I to a 501.