What Happened
Safety Concerns Prompt End to Decades-Long Exemptions for Certain Models
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is ending exemptions that allowed pilots to fly certain older Cessna Citation jets alone in the United States, citing widespread training violations and safety concerns. The decision affects several Citation models, including the Citation and Citation I, II, S/II, V, Ultra, Bravo, Encore, and Encore+, as well as the military T-47A variant. The policy change is scheduled to take effect on September 28, 2026, and will require affected pilots to fly with a qualified second-in-command. The FAA’s review of exemption holders found significant noncompliance and safety issues, including falsified records and unauthorized use of training devices. The move is expected to impact approximately 1,250 US-registered aircraft, according to AeroTime.