>
The Citation Encore (Model 560) is a versatile Cessna Citation light jet introduced in 2000 as an upgraded Citation V and upgraded Citation Ultra variant. This small business jet balances speed, cabin comfort, and operating cost for trips of 1.5–3 hours, such as New York–Miami, London–Nice, or Toronto–Chicago.
Jettly frequently sources Citation Encore aircraft through its global private jet marketplace, giving travelers transparent, on-demand charter pricing without ownership or jet card commitments. Through this broker model, travelers can access operators such as Dexter Air Taxi’s private jet services and instant‑book partners like Zenflight’s private jet charter platform.
The Citation Encore is a model 560 Cessna Citation light jet and successor to the Citation Ultra.
Typical charter range is about 1,400–1,700 nm, with cruise speed near 375–400 knots and maximum speed around 426–430 knots.
The Citation Encore features Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A engines, improved systems, and short-runway capability.
It suits Jettly trips such as regional business travel, family getaways, and access to smaller airports.
Travelers can compare Citation Encore options and pricing through Jettly at https://www.jettly.com.
The Cessna Citation V evolved from the Citation family after the first Citation and Citation II, with the Encore representing the Citation Encore, an upgraded version of the model 560 line. The first engineering prototype and engineering prototype work led to the model 560; the preproduction prototype flew after earlier prototype flew programs, with the maiden flight lineage tied to mid-1980s Citation V development. Travelers comparing similar light jets can review Jettly’s broader private charter aircraft options alongside the Citation Encore. The Citation V earned FAA certification in 1988.
Cessna announced the Encore at the 1998 NBAA convention. The Citation Encore was announced at the 1998 NBAA convention and received FAA certification in April 2000, with the first delivery occurring in late September 2000. Production ran through 2006, and deliveries amounted to about 168 units before the Encore+.
Retaining the Citation V’s straight wing, wing area, and general fuselage concept, the Encore, the Citation Encore upgraded variant, added Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A power, redesigned interior fittings, updated interior materials, and improved systems. The aircraft also uses trailing link landing gear and a trailing link main undercarriage for better ground tracking, wheel track stability, and a soft landing feel.
The upgraded Citation Encore+ was certified by the FAA in December 2006, with deliveries expected to begin in the first quarter of 2007. This version introduced FADEC-equipped PW535B engines and the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite, further enhancing performance and pilot situational awareness.
|
Item |
Citation Encore detail |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Business jet built as model 560; light jet category |
|
Engines |
Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A turbofans |
|
Avionics |
Honeywell Primus 1000 EFIS; some later aircraft have Pro Line 21 avionics upgrades |
|
Range |
1,700 nautical miles with NBAA IFR reserves; typical charter planning 1,400–1,600 nm |
|
Altitude |
maximum cruise altitude FL 450; maximum operating altitude 45,000 ft |
|
Speed |
maximum cruise speed 426–430 knots, about 789 km h |
|
Weights |
max takeoff weight / MTOW: 16,630 lb |
|
Fuel |
fuel capacity supports five passengers with full fuel |
|
Cabin |
cabin length 17.3 ft; 4.8 ft wide; 4.8 ft high |
|
Seats |
passenger seats for 7–8; maximum capacity 9 |
|
Baggage |
about 70 cu ft, with aft compartment and ski tube |
The pressurized cabin of the Encore measures 17.3 feet long, 4.8 feet wide, and 4.8 feet high, accommodating 7 to 8 passengers comfortably, with a maximum capacity of 9. Actual passenger seats provide different spacing by operator, so Jettly users should review each aircraft layout before booking.
The Citation Encore is optimized for efficient regional and medium-range missions. The Citation Encore features Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A engines and has a maximum cruise altitude of FL 450, with a range of 1,700 nautical miles. The Cessna Citation Encore has a maximum cruise altitude of FL 450 and a range of 1,700 nautical miles with NBAA IFR reserves. For planning these regional missions, Jettly’s airport locator tool helps match the Encore’s capabilities with suitable departure and arrival fields.
The Citation Encore can take off in 3,561 feet under ISA conditions and climbs directly to FL 450 in 27 minutes. It can also take off from runways under 3,500 feet in favorable conditions, making it accessible to smaller local airports. That helps routes such as Los Angeles–Dallas or Paris–Málaga work without defaulting to larger airports.
The Encore’s design includes a trailing link main landing gear, which enhances landing comfort and handling characteristics compared to earlier models. Compared with midsize jets, it may not have more range or long-range speed, but it can cruise higher, climb faster, and deliver faster climbs than many older light jets.
The Citation Encore cabin is practical, not oversized. It is best for seated work, conversation, or rest. Most layouts carry eight passengers at most, with a club-four, extra forward or aft seats, and a belted lavatory seat.
The cabin of the Citation Encore is designed to provide more headroom and comfort, featuring redesigned interior fittings and passenger service units for improved airflow and temperature control. In simple terms, passenger service units provide better vents, lighting, and comfort control than earlier Citation Ultra Encore cabins. More seated headroom and seated headroom improvements come from updated interior fittings, while onboard amenities can be enhanced further with tailored in‑flight catering for private jets.
Standard equipment or common options include fold-out tables, refreshment storage, cabin pressurization controls, power outlets, and Wi‑Fi on some charter aircraft. Travelers looking to reduce per‑seat costs on these flights can also take advantage of Jettly’s platform for crowdsourcing private jet flights and sharing empty seats. The Encore's advanced climate control system allows for dual-zone temperature settings in the cockpit and cabin and has cooling capabilities before engine start.
The Citation Encore features Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A engines, which provide improved performance compared to its predecessor, the Citation Ultra. These engines support better fuel efficiency, lower noise, and useful hot-and-high performance.
The cockpit of the Encore is equipped with the Honeywell Primus 1000 Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS), which enhances pilot workflow and situational awareness. The aircraft is typically equipped with bleed air anti-ice, stall fences, boundary layer energizers, and digital systems that support reliable dispatch, similar in spirit to the reliable avionics found on other business aircraft, such as the Cessna 340, with its range and charter rates.
The upgraded Citation Encore+ received FAA certification in December 2006, with deliveries commencing in the first quarter of 2007. The Encore+ features FADEC-equipped PW535B engines, a Pro Line 21 avionics suite, and various refinements that slightly increased its weight. For travelers seeking greater speed and range, a super-midsize jet like the Citation X private jet for rent (N107AV) may be a better option.Encore+ adds FADEC-equipped PW535B engines, Pro Line 21 avionics, and refinements where weight increased slightly, while travelers who need more speed and range might instead consider a super‑midsize option like the Citation X private jet for rent (N107AV).
Owners track crew, insurance, hangar, fuel, maintenance, and engine programs. Annual fixed costs can exceed $450,000, while variable costs often run above $2,500 per flight hour, and tools like Jettly’s private jet charter cost estimator translate these factors into approximate trip pricing for charter clients.
Charter clients usually care about the total trip price. The Encore often sits below midsize jets for 2–3 hour trips with up to 7–8 passengers. Jettly helps compare pricing, aircraft age, updated interior condition, avionics, operator location, and repositioning, and its guide on affordable private jet charter explains how travelers can manage and reduce these costs.
A same-day out-and-back may price better than a two-day trip with overnight crew costs. Travelers who fly frequently may also compare on-demand pricing with jet card programs using Jettly’s jet card flight cost estimator. Learn more about Jettly’s charter options at https://www.jettly.com.
The Citation Encore has military designations reflecting its use by U.S. armed forces. The UC-35B is the United States Army designation, while the UC-35D is the United States Marine Corps designation for the Citation Encore. These variants support high-priority personnel transport and light cargo missions.
The Marine Corps has phased out its UC-35D aircraft, planning replacements by 2030. The army and marine designations highlight the aircraft’s versatility beyond civilian use, reflecting broader trends across charter airlines and private aviation where similar platforms serve both government and civilian roles.
The Citation Encore is certified for operation by one pilot, though most operators prefer two for enhanced safety and workload management on longer flights. The aircraft’s Honeywell Primus 1000 EFIS and, in the Encore+ variant, the Pro Line 21 avionics suite, provide advanced situational awareness and automation to support single-pilot operations, and some travelers may compare these capabilities with super‑midsize options such as Jettly’s Citation X private jet charter (N688LB).
This flexibility makes the Encore attractive for various charter operators and private owners seeking efficient crew utilization, particularly for travelers comparing Jettly as a NetJets alternative for private flying.
The Citation Encore features upgraded Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A engines, trailing link landing gear for improved comfort, and redesigned interior fittings. These enhancements provide better performance, smoother landings, and increased passenger comfort compared to earlier Citation V versions, which is valuable on dense regional routes such as private jet charter in Kolkata, West Bengal.
The Citation Encore typically seats 7 to 8 passengers comfortably, with a maximum capacity of 9. The cabin design focuses on providing ample headroom and comfort for regional flights, making it a practical fit for travelers using Jettly’s private jet memberships for frequent regional missions.
The aircraft has a maximum range of approximately 1,700 nautical miles with NBAA IFR reserves and a maximum cruise speed of around 426 to 430 knots, making it well-suited for regional and medium-range trips, including itineraries like private jet charter to Hyderabad in Telangana.
Yes, the Encore’s short takeoff field requirements allow it to operate from runways under 3,500 feet, providing access to smaller regional airports that commercial jets cannot use, including busy business destinations such as private jet charter in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The standard Citation Encore is equipped with the Honeywell Primus 1000 EFIS cockpit system. The upgraded Encore+ variant features the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite for enhanced situational awareness and automation.
The aircraft is certified for single-pilot operation, though many operators prefer two pilots for longer or more complex flights to ensure safety and reduce workload.
Jettly offers instant pricing and booking through its digital platform, providing transparent costs and access to a global network of Citation Encore aircraft without the need for ownership or jet card commitments, while its Jet Card programs cater to flyers who prefer fixed hourly rates and additional perks.
The Cessna Citation Encore (Model 560) is a proven light jet offering a balanced combination of range, speed, comfort, and operational flexibility. Its upgraded engines, trailing link landing gear, and advanced avionics make it a reliable choice for regional business travel and leisure charters, including high-demand corridors served by private jet charter in Lagos, Nigeria.
Through Jettly’s platform, travelers can access transparent pricing and instant booking for Citation Encore charters, enjoying the convenience of private jet travel without ownership commitments.
Ready to enjoy private travel tailored to your needs? Discover available flights or get a personalized quote at https://www.jettly.com.
Share this post:
Discover tips and trends in the industry.

5
min read
Aircraft Charter Service: How Jettly Makes Private Flights Simple
Jettly simplifies private air travel by offering an aircraft charter service that allows travelers to rent entire aircraft for customized trips, providing flexibility and convenience over commercial flights. With access to over 20,000 aircraft globally, Jettly's platform enables users to search, compare, and book flights easily, eliminating the hassles of traditional airport processes. Charter flights save time and enhance comfort, making them ideal for both business and leisure travel, while also allowing access to more airports than commercial airlines. Overall, Jettly offers a transparent and efficient way to experience private aviation tailored to individual needs.
Read More
5
min read
Business Jet: A Complete Guide to Modern Business Aviation
Business jets are essential for modern corporate and private travel, offering flexibility, convenience, and efficiency by providing direct access to numerous airports worldwide. They cater to various travel needs, from short regional flights to long intercontinental journeys, while prioritizing privacy and productivity. Jettly simplifies the process of accessing over 20,000 business aircraft with transparent pricing and instant booking options, making it easier for travelers to choose the right aircraft based on their specific requirements. The business jet market is expected to evolve in the coming years, focusing on sustainability and enhanced connectivity.
Read MoreStay updated with our latest insights and tips to elevate your journey with us.
MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS