Cessna is one of the largest manufacturers of general aviation aircraft in the world. It is often considered to be one of the "Big Three" of general aviation aircraft manufacturers, alongside Piper Aircraft and Beechcraft , which is owned by the same parent company as Cessna , Textron Aviation. The company has also made a name for itself in the private aviation industry.
It has manufactured a line of popular business jets known as the Citation family for over fifty years. The Wichita , Kansas-based company has altered its offerings of private jets throughout the years. Prior to the 1960s, the company focused on general aviation aircraft, such as the following popular civil aircraft: Cessna 172 Skyhawk Cessna 182 Skylane Cessna 206 Stationair The company also evolved to produce turboprop-powered aircraft and other single-engine aircraft that found success in the business aviation industry.
Cessna continued the success of popular business aircraft by deciding to develop a jet-powered aircraft to further its offerings in this market. The first Cessna private jet, designated the Cessna Citation I, was officially developed in the late 1960s. The company wanted to develop an aircraft that could directly compete with the Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander and early Learjet models.
The private jet market was relatively new at the time. The Citation series of business jets has been offered since the early 1970s, progressing through a range of variants to meet different demands. Cessna .