Overview
- The FAA rescinded long-standing training exemptions for several legacy Cessna Citation models on September 29, 2026 and required existing approvals to be revoked.
- Administrator Bryan Bedford said on October 22, 2026 that the agency is open to studying targeted approaches such as a supplemental type certificate or enhanced training, but offered no policy change or timeline.
- The agency based its decision on a multi-year review that found affected Citations flown single‑pilot had about twice the accident rate of comparable Part 23 Citations and on widespread compliance failures by some Part 61 training providers.
- The FAA’s review identified incomplete or falsified training records and improper checks, which led the agency to deny or revoke approvals for several training providers.
- Industry groups including NBAA, AOPA, and the Citation Jet Pilots Association are pushing for alternatives and for a way to exempt operators who can document proper training, while the FAA says any alternative must meet its equivalent‑safety test.