Can the 551 be flown at 14,500 if you have two crew onboard?

551 can do it maybe 50% of the time, but you run out of useful load. Given the 550 is literally the same plane and operates 1000 lbs heavier, one wonders how many folks operate the 551 over gross.

Mike C.

All of them.

Not legally.

Before you buy a legacy Citation, check out or Go/No-Go program.

We’ll be able to do the research and provide value references to help make sure you get a good airplane without overpaying.

We just started this and have already prevented a client from buying an airplane with major damage history that was not disclosed!

https://jetacq.com/go-or-no-go/

Now that Adam has started a Citation thread, I’d better start looking for one before prices double …

Think that's already happened

Yep! Thread started in 2019!

It’s Adam’s fault!

As stated here, the fuel capacity is the same for 550-551. Matter of fact, the airplanes are mostly identical. Some 551s started life as a 550. Cessna had a service bulletin to convert 550-551. It’s mostly paperwork. IIRC the SP requires a transponder ident switch on the yoke, and originally a boom mike. A headset is commonly used now.
Your 1300nm trip westbound could have 100-150kt headwinds in the winter. Couple that with either a crappy climb or descent clearance or both, it starts to look a lot different. Add destination weather that might require a little extra fuel to be comfortable and the range changes pretty quick.
A Citation S550 SII holds 5700 lbs fuel and is 30-40 knots faster. It would do that trip more often than the 550-551.

Robert T

As stated here, the fuel capacity is the same for 550-551. Matter of fact, the airplanes are mostly identical. Some 551s started life as a 550. Cessna had a service bulletin to convert 550-551. It’s mostly paperwork. IIRC the SP requires a transponder ident switch on the yoke, and originally a boom mike. A headset is commonly used now.
Your 1300nm trip westbound could have 100-150kt headwinds in the winter. Couple that with either a crappy climb or descent clearance or both, it starts to look a lot different. Add destination weather that might require a little extra fuel to be comfortable and the range changes pretty quick.
A Citation S550 SII holds 5700 lbs fuel and is 30-40 knots faster. It would do that trip more often than the 550-551.

Robert T

Once you go over 12,500 lbs you pay a lot more for services. And lunder 12,500 is less required for international travel with TCAS.

I am glad I am at 12,500 max with my Eagle II. Long legs with 4500lbs of fuel and efficient FJ44's. a little faster than a stock 501. Mostly cruising at 380ish.

We have 10 seat belts and lots of room with the Sierra Mod in the rear club seating. Just had some people that also fly an Encore in our plane and said our rear seating area is way larger.

Mike

Yeah, for a personal plane I find the aft lav a huge waste of space. Huge thumbs up for the Sierra mod. My stock 501 is only a 3-hour plane anyway so if everyone goes before take-off you won't need the lav. Mine does have one for emergencies, across from the door. But you are going to become close friends with everyone in the cabin if you use it!

I like having the refreshment center - it's a convenient place to store junk like paper towels, kleenex, trash during the flight, headset cases, tools, Garmin manuals, etc. So with that I have 9 belted seats although the 9th needs to be a child.

I keep dreaming about 551s but just can't justify it. I love the idea of the SII (get a V on the cheap) but the TKS is a hassle.

Do you have many passengers who are uncomfortable flying backwards? It seems several of these Citations have several seats facing rearward, with only the back row facing forward.

My wife really dislikes when we have the club seating configuration in the A36, says it makes her more likely to feel some light motion sickness.

Having moved from TKS to boots I’d go back in a heartbeat.

But no, don’t lean on TKS panels in a suit.

It was way worse in piston planes. The citation is so much smoother and flys more level. Nobody has complained about facing backwards and we have done some 4 hour trips with rear facing passengers.

You spend way less time in the climb or arrival in a jet.

Mike

It was way worse in pistons planes. The citation is so much smoother and flys more level. Nobody has complained about facing backwards and we have done some 4 hour trips with rear facing passengers.

You spend way less time in the climb or arrival in a jet.

Mike