What do people think of the Citation Encore?
 

For the pilots that fly the Citation Encore how do you like it? And for the pilots at NJA, how do you like flying it on the line and do you get cross checked for the Ultra and Bravo? I just got assigned the Encore and a LA base, is reserve going to be busy? Thank you to all:D UNITY

Overall it's not a bad airplane. I certainly wish that it had a few more capabilities and features (like faster speeds, a real lav that you can actually use, more headroom, and an APU), but overall it fits well for the type of requirements that my company has (mostly short legs, less than 1.5 hrs and short field capabilities).

It's definitely nice to climb up to FL400+ and get over most other traffic and weather, particularly on the longer flights. It's simple to fly, has easy to learn systems, decent (but not great) avionics, and has a good balance of range and payload. (My record payload is 7 pax and 300lbs of bags for a short flight or longest flight: nonstop CA-VA with 1 passenger)

I think the Encore and Ultra fleets are separate now. There are no Bravos in the NJA/US fleet.

Is the Encore an aircraft that has a single pilot type?

Yes... pilots can get a single pilot sign off for the Encore (although it is officially a two pilot aircraft). To get the sign off, you have to do the special simulator course and then take a checkride in the actual aircraft. It also requires single pilot recurrent (sim only) each year to remain valid.

Going for a new capacity record today... 7 male passengers, 9 overnight bags, 7 sets of golf clubs and 860NM legs westbound...

Wow, thats a lot of gear. Do you have the single pilot type? and is it very common? The Encore is going to be my first jet and from what you said about it earlier its sounds like a good entry level jet. Have a nice trip.

Well we ended up only taking 5 sets of clubs, but everything fit! Head home tomorrow!

I don't have the single pilot type rating- but do know a pilot that does. I do know that as far as insurance goes, it costs much more to get single pilot coverage- particularly for low turbojet experience pilots.

Aside from some increases in how quickly things happen, flying the Citation is like flying a big baron. Transition shouldn't be too difficult as long as you study and go into training prepared.

If you have any questions or whatever about the plane, feel free to PM me- I'd be happy to chat.