Private Jet Review
Citation V
The Citation V is one of the best-selling light private jets that Jet Advisors offers. It has a good blend of cabin comfort, performance, and reliability. It a good choice for short trips.
The deciding factor for most clients comparing the Citation V to other similar jets is often the comfort of the cabin. The Citation V’s cabin is 17.4 feet long, 4.8 feet wide, and 4.8 feet high. Compare these numbers to the Hawker 400XP’s cabin dimensions of 15.6 x 4.8 x 4.9 feet, or the Citation Bravo’s dimensions of 15.8 x 4.7 x 4.8 feet – the difference in length is significant. The engineers of the Citation V took advantage of the extra cabin space and installed extra-wide seats that recline 60 degrees and rotate a full 360 degrees.
The Citation V isn’t just roomy inside, however: it has an external baggage capacity of 46 cubic feet and an internal capacity of 28 cubic feet. In other words, this private jet can haul about seven suitcases and three golf bags, depending on the specific jet configuration and amount of passengers. Cessna spent considerable time on sound control in its design of the Citation V, using new soundproofing techniques and triple-glazed windows. The result is one of the quietest light private jets available. Other notable features include the two-zone temperature control and the ventilation system designed to eliminate drafts.
The cabin pressurization system can hold a sea level cabin to 23,580 feet, which is useful when flying at a high speed (425 knots/hour) cruise at 37,000 feet, or at a long range (350 knots/hour) cruise at the Citation V’s maximum certified flight ceiling of 45,000 feet. Takeoff distances are fairly short. At sea level, the Citation V can take off in 3,160 feet. At an altitude of 5,000 feet and a temperature of 77 ˚ F, the required runway distance increases to 4,780 feet.
Pilots aren’t the only ones that can appreciate the performance capabilities of the Citation V. Its average cruise speed of 415 knots per hour makes it a popular choice for 350 to 400 mile trips. Typical nonstop flights include Fort Lauderdale to New York, Aspen to Los Angeles, and San Francisco to Southern California.
The Citation V is known as a pilot-friendly jet, which also means an exceptionally safe one. Its pre-flight check is easy to carry out, with the location of everything covered in the pre-flight designed with the pilots in mind. The jet handles well, especially in normal banking maneuvers and the landing approach configuration. The cockpit visibility of 340 degrees is unmatched by other light private jets in its class, and managers and mechanics alike have repeatedly praised its reliability.
In short, the Citation V is hard to outdo in comfort, performance, and reliability. It comes as no surprise that it is consistently chosen over other private jets in its class.
