The Cessna Citation Encore replaced the Citation Ultra with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A turbofans, a reworked wing and more range on less fuel than the aircraft it succeeded.
Around 233 Encore and Encore+ airframes were delivered before the line closed, and the type still earns its keep in charter, corporate and US military service.
Cessna Citation Encore Specifications
| Manufacturer | Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas (now Textron Aviation) |
| Model designation | Cessna Model 560 |
| Type | Light business jet |
| Variants | Citation Encore, Citation Encore+ |
| Certification | FAA type certificate A22CE, 26 April 2000 (Encore); 14 December 2006 (Encore+) |
| Entry into service | September 2000 |
| Production status | Out of production, line closed 2010 |
| Units built | Approximately 168 Encore and 65 Encore+ |
| Serial numbers | 560-0539 through 560-0750 (Encore); 560-0751 onward (Encore+) |
| Engines | 2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A turbofan, 3,400 lb thrust each (FADEC PW535B on the Encore+) |
| Max range | 1,700nm (3,148km) with NBAA IFR reserves |
| Cruise speed | 430 KTAS maximum cruise |
| Max operating altitude | 45,000ft |
| Takeoff distance | 3,490ft at MTOW, sea level ISA |
| Landing distance | 2,439ft at typical landing weight, sea level ISA |
| Max takeoff weight (MTOW) | 16,630 lb (7,543 kg); Encore+ 16,830 lb (7,634 kg) |
| Max landing weight | 15,200 lb (6,895 kg) |
| Max zero fuel weight | 12,600 lb (5,715 kg) |
| Usable fuel | 806 US gallons (5,440 lb) in two wing tanks |
| Wingspan | 54ft 1in (16.48m) |
| Length | 48ft 11in (14.91m) |
| Height | 15ft 2in (4.62m) |
| Passenger capacity | 7 to 8 typical, up to 11 maximum |
| Crew | 2 pilots; single-pilot operation approved under the FAA type certificate with the required equipment |
| Price (new) | Approximately $8.27 million equipped, 2008 reference for the Encore+ |
| Used market | Approximately $1.8m to $3.3m (Encore); $3.6m to $4.3m (Encore+), October 2026 |
| Operating cost | Approximately $3,770/hr (Encore) and $4,070/hr (Encore+) total, at 250 annual hours |
Cessna Citation Encore – History and Overview
Development and Background
The Model 560 started life as a stretched Citation S/II. It flew in August 1987, reached certification as the Citation V in December 1988, and became the best selling business jet on the market during its production run. Cessna upgraded it to Citation Ultra specification in 1994 with more thrust and EFIS, then announced the Encore at the 1998 NBAA convention.
PW535A turbofans replaced the JT15D-5D and lifted takeoff thrust to 3,400 lb per side, with far better output at altitude. Cessna cut usable fuel to 806 US gallons, roughly 360 lb less than the Ultra carried, and spent the reclaimed volume on trailing link main landing gear. The Encore still flies further than the Ultra, which tells you most of what you need to know about the engine change.
FAA certification came on 26 April 2000 and the first aircraft was delivered that September. Serial numbers 560-0539 through 560-0750 cover the variant, as recorded in the EASA type certificate data sheet IM.A.207 that validates FAA type certificate A22CE.
Design and Performance
The wing is the straight, unswept surface the Citation line has carried since the Model 500, reworked for the Encore with a leading edge cuff and new tips that took span from 52ft 2in to 54ft 1in. Field performance follows from that: 3,490ft to get off the ground at 16,630 lb at sea level, and 2,439ft to land. Few light jets of the period could use the same runways at full weight.
Certification to 45,000ft puts the Encore above most airline traffic. VMO is 290 KCAS between 8,000ft and 28,907ft with an MMO of 0.75, maximum cruise sits around 430 KTAS, and NBAA IFR range is 1,700nm. Honeywell Primus 1000 drives the flight deck on the Encore, with digital pressurization control and individual wheel digital anti-skid among the systems Cessna added at the same time.
Cabin length of roughly 17ft 4in was the longest in the light jet class when the type launched, with 4ft 9in of height and width across the aisle. Baggage capacity runs to 600 lb in the aft cabin plus 500 lb across two tailcone stations. The Encore+ carried the airframe forward with FADEC engines and Pro Line 21.
Variants
- Citation Encore (Model 560) – PW535A engines, trailing link main gear, Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics, 16,630 lb MTOW. Certified April 2000, S/N 560-0539 through 560-0750, approximately 168 built.
- Citation Encore+ (Model 560) – FADEC-controlled PW535B engines and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics, 16,830 lb MTOW and 17,030 lb ramp weight. Certified December 2006, S/N 560-0751 onward, approximately 65 built through 2010.
- UC-35B – US Army designation for the Encore, flown on priority passenger and light cargo tasking.
- UC-35D – US Marine Corps equivalent, used for operational support airlift.
Operators
Charter and fractional operators took a large share of the fleet in North America, where the Encore’s field performance opens airports that larger cabin jets cannot use at full load. Corporate flight departments hold most of the rest, frequently as a step up from a Citation II or Bravo. The US Army and Marine Corps fly the type as the UC-35B and UC-35D, and those airframes accumulate cycles at a rate civil examples rarely match. European, Middle Eastern and Latin American operators account for smaller numbers.
Current Status
Production ended in 2010 and Textron Aviation has given no indication it will restart. Type certificate A22CE remains active and still covers the Encore and Encore+ alongside the rest of the 500, 550 and 560 family, so maintenance data, service bulletins and parts support continue through Textron and the aftermarket.
The pre-owned market is steady rather than busy. Encores trade at roughly $1.8 million to $3.3 million depending on year, total time and engine program status, with Encore+ aircraft asking $3.6 million to $4.3 million and spending a long time on market when they do list. Wheels, brakes and tires are shared with Citations still in production, so consumable availability is not a concern for the type.
Cessna Citation Encore Landing Gear and Tires
Landing Gear Configuration
Retractable tricycle undercarriage with a single steerable nose wheel and one wheel on each main gear leg. The trailing link main gear is the Encore’s defining change from the Ultra and the reason the type has its reputation for soft arrivals, since the axle sits behind the pivot and feeds vertical load into the shock strut at an angle rather than straight up the leg. Individual wheel digital anti-skid control forms part of the certification basis for both the Encore and the Encore+.
The Encore carries a higher rated main tyre than the Citation V and Ultra it replaced, which is the single most common source of confusion when ordering for the Model 560. A V or Ultra fitment is not interchangeable with an Encore, and the serial number range is the thing to check first.
Cessna Citation Encore Tire Specifications
| Nose wheel tire size | 18×4.4, double chine, tubeless |
| Nose ply rating and speed | 10 ply, 210 mph |
| Main gear tire size | H22x8.25-10, tubeless |
| Main ply rating and speed | 14 ply, 190 mph |
| Wheels per position | 1 nose wheel, 1 wheel per main gear leg |
| Tire pressure | Published in the aircraft maintenance manual only (56MM-12 Encore, 56MM-22 Encore+) |
| Compatible brands | Michelin Air, Goodyear Flight Eagle |
| Applicability | Citation Encore and Citation Encore+, all serial numbers |
Verify tire size, ply rating and inflation pressure against the aircraft maintenance manual and any applicable airworthiness directives before ordering. Serial number, weight variant and installed modifications can affect the correct fitment.
Main Gear Tires
Goodyear’s application chart lists the Encore on H22x8.25-10 at 14 ply, a step up from the 22×8.0-10 12 ply fitted to the Citation V and Ultra, and the same specification carried by the Citation Bravo. The change tracks the Encore’s higher takeoff weight and the load path through the trailing link gear. Michelin covers the size in the Air range at the same 14 ply rating and a 190 mph speed rating.
Main gear tires on a light jet at this weight typically give 150 to 250 landings before removal, though runway surface, braking technique and anti-skid serviceability move that figure a long way in either direction. Trailing link gear tends to be gentle on main tires compared with a conventional strut, which operators on the type generally report as longer life rather than fewer inspections.
Nose Wheel Tire
The nose carries an 18×4.4 at 10 ply with a double chine, the same fitment used across the Citation II, Bravo, V, Ultra, Excel and XLS, the CJ2 and CJ3, and the Beechjet 400. Chines matter on this airframe because the engines sit aft of and above the nose wheel and will take in whatever it throws forward on a wet runway. Nose tires usually outlast mains on cycles, but shimmy damper condition and steering collar wear drive most early removals.
Approved and Compatible Brands
DMI Aviation stocks tires for the Cessna Citation Encore and Encore+ from the following approved manufacturers:
- Michelin Air 031-613-8 – 18×4.4, 10 ply, 210 mph, tubeless – nose wheel
- Michelin Air 031-613-4 – 18×4.4, 10 ply, 210 mph, tubeless – nose wheel
- Goodyear 184F13-5 – 18×4.4, 10 ply, 210 mph, tubeless – nose wheel
- Michelin Air 026-617-0 – H22x8.25-10, 14 ply, 190 mph, tubeless – main gear
- Michelin Air 026-617-1 – H22x8.25-10, 14 ply, 190 mph, tubeless – main gear
- Goodyear Flight Eagle 229K28-2 – H22x8.25-10, 14 ply, 190 mph, tubeless – main gear
Two further H22x8.25-10 part numbers appear in the catalog but are not direct Encore fitments. A 12 ply version of the size sits below the rating called out for the type, and a 16 ply version sits above it. Neither is an automatic substitute, and both require AMM verification against the specific airframe before use.
Frequently Asked Questions – Cessna Citation Encore
Is the Cessna Citation Encore still in production?
No. The Encore was built from 2000 to 2006 and the Encore+ from 2007 until the line closed in 2010, with approximately 168 and 65 aircraft delivered respectively. Type certificate A22CE remains active, so maintenance data and parts support continue through Textron Aviation and the aftermarket. Tires, wheels and brakes are shared with Citations still in production, which keeps consumables readily available.
What are the Cessna Citation Encore specifications?
Key figures are 1,700nm NBAA IFR range, 430 KTAS maximum cruise, a 45,000ft ceiling, 16,630 lb MTOW and seating for seven to eight passengers. Power comes from two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A turbofans rated at 3,400 lb thrust each. The full specifications table above covers weights, dimensions and field performance.
What is the range of the Cessna Citation Encore?
1,700nm (3,148km) with NBAA IFR reserves. The Encore+ is quoted at 1,673nm on the four passenger NBAA IFR profile. Both figures beat the Citation Ultra despite the Encore carrying less fuel, which is down to the PW535 series engines.
What is the Cessna Citation Encore price?
The Encore+ carried an average equipped price of around $8.27 million in 2008, during its final production run. On the pre-owned market, Encores currently trade at roughly $1.8 million to $3.3 million depending on year, hours and engine program coverage, with Encore+ examples asking $3.6 million to $4.3 million.
What does the Cessna Citation Encore cost to operate per hour?
Total hourly cost runs around $3,770 for the Encore and $4,070 for the Encore+ at 250 annual flight hours, based on October 2026 cost reporting. Variable cost alone sits closer to $2,750 to $3,350 per hour. Actual figures move with fuel price, utilization, region and engine program status.
What is the difference between the Citation Encore and the Encore+?
The Encore+ swapped the PW535A for the FADEC-controlled PW535B and replaced Honeywell Primus 1000 with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21. MTOW rose from 16,630 lb to 16,830 lb and ramp weight from 16,830 lb to 17,030 lb. Landing weight, zero fuel weight, dimensions and tire fitments are identical across the two.
Where can I find a Cessna Citation Encore for sale?
Listings appear on Controller, AircraftExchange, Trade-A-Plane, JetNet and AVPRO. The market is thin by light jet standards given the small production run, and aircraft often sit for a year or more. If you operate an Encore or Encore+, DMI Aviation stocks main gear and nose wheel tires for the type.
What interior options does the Cessna Citation Encore offer?
Cabin length of roughly 17ft 4in with 4ft 9in of height and width supports a double club layout for eight, or a six seat club with a side-facing seat and aft lavatory. Standard fit includes a refreshment center, individual passenger service units and an airstair door. Many aircraft have since been refurbished with modern cabin management and connectivity.
What is the Cessna Citation Encore landing distance?
2,439ft at typical landing weight, sea level, ISA conditions. Takeoff distance at 16,630 lb MTOW in the same conditions is 3,490ft, rising to roughly 5,750ft at 5,000ft elevation and 25 degrees C. Maximum landing weight is 15,200 lb.
What tire size does the Cessna Citation Encore use?
Main gear tires are H22x8.25-10 at 14 ply with a 190 mph speed rating. The nose wheel takes an 18×4.4 at 10 ply, 210 mph, with a double chine. Both are tubeless. Note that these differ from the Citation V and Ultra main fitment, and should be verified against the AMM for the specific serial number.
Which tire brands are approved for the Cessna Citation Encore?
Michelin and Goodyear both cover the type in the correct sizes and ply ratings. Michelin supplies the Air range in H22x8.25-10 14 ply for the mains and 18×4.4 10 ply for the nose, and Goodyear covers the same two positions. DMI Aviation carries both brands in both positions.
What is the tire pressure for the Cessna Citation Encore?
Inflation pressures for the Encore and Encore+ are published in the aircraft maintenance manual and nowhere else. Refer to 56MM-12 for the Encore and 56MM-22 for the Encore+, and set pressure against the actual aircraft weight and configuration. Pressure drives tire life on this type more than any other single factor.
How long do Cessna Citation Encore tires last?
Main gear tires on a light jet at this weight typically give 150 to 250 landings, with nose tires usually running longer on cycles. Runway surface, braking technique, taxi distances and anti-skid condition all move that figure. The AMM and the operator maintenance program set the limits that actually apply.
How often should Cessna Citation Encore tires be changed?
Replacement is driven by tread wear to the base of the groove, cut or bulge damage, exposed cord, and any cycle or calendar limits in the maintenance program. Inspect at each A check and after any rejected takeoff or hard landing. A licensed engineer working to the AMM makes the final call on removal.
