Cessna Citation XLS

The midsize jet built to merge cabin comfort with light jet efficiency.

Cessna 560 Citation XLS ‘D-CSUN’ © Antony Pratt

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Overview

Cessna United States ICAO: C56X 1996–Present Active $13.7 million (2019)

The Citation XLS was introduced in the early 2000s as a development of the Excel series. It combined a midsize cabin with light jet operating economics. The aircraft became one of Cessna’s most successful business jet platforms.

Live Fleet Activity (C56X)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney PW545C
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 4,119 lbf · 18 kN
Avionics
Honeywell Primus 1000 3-Tube EFIS avionics suite
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
12
Crew
—
Cabin width
5 ft 6 in  ·  1.68 m
Cabin height
5 ft 8 in  ·  1.73 m
Cabin length
18 ft 6 in  ·  5.64 m
Exterior length
52 ft 6 in  ·  16.00 m
Tail height
17 ft 1 in  ·  5.20 m
Fuselage diameter
5 ft 11 in  ·  1.80 m
Wing span
56 ft 4 in  ·  17.17 m
Baggage volume
90 ft³  ·  2.6 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
20,200 lb  ·  9,150 kg
Max landing weight
18,700 lb  ·  8,500 kg
Max payload
2,250 lb  ·  1,000 kg
Fuel capacity
1,010 gal · 3,800 L · 3,000 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
440 kt  ·  506 mph  ·  815 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
117 kt  ·  135 mph  ·  217 km/h
Range
1,858 nm  ·  2,140 mi  ·  3,440 km
Fuel burn
1.85 nm/gal  ·  0.91 km/L
Ceiling
45,000 ft  ·  13,700 m
Rate of climb
3,500 ft/min  ·  18 m/s
Takeoff distance
3,550 ft  ·  1,090 m
Landing distance
3,200 ft  ·  970 m
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Cessna 560XL Citation XLS ‘CS-DQA’

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Operational Context

Cessna Citation XLS — midsize business jet

The XLS first flew in 2003 and entered service in 2004. It incorporated upgraded engines and avionics compared with the Citation Excel. The design emphasized a spacious stand-up cabin within manageable operating costs.

Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545 turbofan engines producing approximately 4,100 pounds of thrust (18.2 kN) each power the aircraft. Cruise speed approaches 430 knots (796 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 20,000 pounds (9,072 kg).

The XLS became widely adopted in corporate and charter fleets. Subsequent upgrades, including the XLS+, refined avionics and performance. The platform remains a cornerstone of Cessna’s midsize offerings.