Cessna Citation Type Rating

Welcome to Our Academy

Our Academy offers training for the Cessna Citation type rating CE-500. This popular business jet covers a wide range of capabilities and is the most sought-after in its category.

Understanding Type Rating Training

As you probably know, the most popular way to obtain a Type Rating for a specific aircraft is through the use of simulators at certified part 142 flight training centers. The most renowned names in business aviation include CAE, FlightSafety, and Simcom. However, this method has several downsides:

• The initial course is expensive, around $20,000 or more.
• The schedule is inflexible, and you usually have to wait for the next available seat.
• Sim sessions often take place at inconvenient times (night or weekends).
• Ground school is long and intensive (typically 5 full days of 8-hour sessions).
• The course duration is long (usually 2 weeks or more).

The Advantage of In-Aircraft Training

Not many pilots realize that flight training can also be done in an actual airplane! All you need is access to an aircraft for your training. While we do not currently provide our own aircraft, if you are hired as a part 91 pilot flying a privately-owned airplane, you can inquire about using the owner’s aircraft for your training (whether initial or recurrent). Likewise, if you are a chief pilot or director of operations for a part 91 operator, you can use your fleet to maintain currency and train new hires. All you need is the right instructor.

Why Choose the CE-500 Series?

Why do we choose the CE-500 series for our training course? Because it is a very popular, mass-market series of airplanes. Textron has produced approximately 2,000 of these planes since 1971. This series includes:

• Cessna Citation I (original)
• Cessna Citation I/SP
• Cessna Citation II (CE550)
• Cessna Citation II/SP (CE550)
• Cessna Citation Bravo (CE550B)
• Cessna Citation V (CE560)
• Cessna Citation Ultra / Encore / Encore+ (CE560)

In total, 10 variations are covered by one type rating! Isn’t that amazing? The Cessna Citation is a family of business jets renowned for their performance, comfort, and efficiency. These aircraft are popular choices for corporate travel, offering sleek designs and advanced avionics. This type rating covers 10 different models of the Citation 500 series, allowing a pilot to operate a wide range of aircraft within this series.

You can earn a PIC type rating, but SIC type training is also available. For the SIC type, you need ground school and flight training (which includes emergency operations and 3 landings). The Cessna Citation series features various jet models.

Course Structure and Flexibility

Our courses include both ground school and flight sessions, ensuring you master all aspects of flying this aircraft.

The Academy provides an experienced instructor at any location within the United States. The customer provides his own aircraft. This approach allows us to offer personalized and flexible instruction, ensuring that your needs are met with the utmost convenience and professionalism.

How is the course structured?

The course is structured with great flexibility since we perform training on your own aircraft, allowing us to customize it based on your experience and personal needs. Obviously, if you’re an experienced pilot with five previous type ratings and thousands of flight hours, you may only need one or two flights to be ready for the checkride. Conversely, if you’re a newly minted commercial pilot with 700 total hours and this is your first jet, you’ll likely need more flight training and additional flights.

We estimate that the average pilot requires 2-3 flights before the checkride. The preliminary schedule looks like this (for informational purposes, not a formal offer):

• Day 1: Ground school, aircraft systems.
• Day 2: Ground school, aircraft systems.
• Day 3: Ground school, weight and balance, performance, real problem solving.
• Day 4: Flight training, Lesson 1 and Lesson 2.
• Day 5: Lesson 3 and checkride preparation.
• Day 6: Checkride with DPE (examiner).

This is a preliminary schedule and can be adjusted based on customer needs. Some lessons can be combined (half-day ground school and half-day flight training), depending on weather, aircraft availability, etc.

Why Is Training in the Aircraft Better Than Sim Training?

Of course, there are pros and cons when comparing these two types of training. The strongest argument in favor of training in the aircraft is that it’s done in a real environment, especially on the same aircraft you’ll fly after obtaining your type rating (in most cases).

Benefits of In-Aircraft Training:

• Cheaper: Usually, training in the aircraft is more affordable if you’re using the owner’s aircraft. Even the total expenses are typically less than $20,000, compared to training at a part 142 flight training center.
• Faster: You can complete everything in less than 5 days.
• Flexible: We can work around your schedule and needs.
• Customized: We tailor the curriculum to your personal needs, qualifications, and prior experience.

What to Keep in Mind:

• Insurance: Sometimes, insurance companies require the type rating to be completed in a simulator, as it allows you to practice more emergency situations (such as engine fire, dual engine failure, or real windshear) that we cannot simulate in a real aircraft.
• Examiner Availability: As you know, the final checkride must be administered by a DPE approved for this type of aircraft. We have one DPE available in Florida, but you’ll need to check around if you’re based in another state.

Why ATP.Academy?

• Customized Training: Tailored curriculum that focuses on your aircraft’s specific systems and performance characteristics.
• Flexible Scheduling: Training sessions planned around your availability.
• Cost-Effective: Utilize your own aircraft to potentially reduce training costs.
• Expert Instructors: Learn from FAA-certified flight instructors with extensive experience in the Cessna Citation series.
• Enhanced Familiarity: Gain deeper insight and comfort with your own aircraft’s nuances.