AOPA urges FAA to keep single‑pilot exemptions for certain Cessna Citation jets

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to reconsider its plan to rescind single‑pilot exemptions for several Citation models. The FAA’s review, prompted by safety concerns and widespread non‑compliance, could limit operators’ ability to fly those jets with one pilot.

The FAA announced a change to single‑pilot exemptions for Cessna Citation jets, citing safety concerns. The agency began granting single‑pilot exemptions for Citation aircraft in 1984 to training providers under 14 CFR Parts 61, 141 and 142. A review planned for 2024 revealed widespread non‑compliance with the exemptions. The FAA plans to rescind single‑pilot exemptions for some Citation models, but not for the Citation 501, 551 or the CE‑525. AOPA’s Vice President for Regulatory Affairs wrote a letter urging the FAA to halt a total denial of the single‑pilot exemption and warned the agency of drastic action against non‑compliant operators. Loss of single‑pilot exemptions could increase crew costs and affect flight‑deck scheduling for operators of the affected Citation models. Operators may face revenue impacts if they must add a second pilot to flights that were previously flown by one pilot.

The FAA is expected to proceed with rescinding the exemptions for the specified Citation models as part of its 2024 review.