FAA Ends Single-Pilot Exemptions For Certain Cessna Citation CE-500 Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a policy statement on Sept. 28, announcing that it will stop issuing exemptions that permit a single pilot to operate certain Cessna Citation CE-500 series aircraft. The FAA also announced that it would rescind existing exemptions by separate action. The policy, published as Federal Register Document 2026-19843, is effective upon publication.

The change affects transport-category CE-500 variants certificated for two-pilot operation and weighing more than 12,500 pounds, including the Citation and Citation I (Model 500), Citation II and Bravo (Model 550), Citation S/II (Model S550), Navy T-47A (Model 552), and Citation V, Ultra, Encore, and Encore+ (Model 560). Under 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9 and 91.531, these aircraft must be operated with a pilot in command and a qualified second in command unless valid regulatory relief applies.