1) What is the CE-500 SIC Type Rating?

The CE‑500 SIC Type Rating allows you to act as second in command on any Citation 500 series aircraft (Citation I, II, S/II, Bravo, V, Ultra, Encore, etc.). It appears on your certificate as a type rating with the limitation “Second in Command Privileges Only.” Basic FAR 61.55 requirements (conceptual summary) In general, FAR 61.55 requires: Proper category and class ratings (e.g., airplane multiengine land). Instrument rating or instrument privileges if flying IFR. Ground training (familiarization) on the airplane’s systems, limitations, normal and emergency procedures (61.55(b)(1)). At least one training flight with a qualified PIC covering specific tasks listed in 61.55(b)(2) (takeoffs/landings, basic maneuvers and procedures, etc.).

2) How courses are typically structured

Several training providers in the U.S. offer CE‑500 SIC courses under 61.55, usually along these lines: Ground school: systems, performance, limitations, normal/abnormal/emergency procedures, CRM and SOPs for two‑pilot operation. Flight training in a CE‑500: often 1–2 hours, including takeoffs/landings, engine‑out scenarios, IFR procedures and two‑pilot cockpit management. Result: your certificate is reissued with the CE‑500 type rating annotated/limited to SIC privileges only.

3) What are the differences between SIC Type Rating and Full Type Rating?

Privileges SIC Type Rating (“SIC Privileges Only”): Authorizes you to act only as second in command on that airplane type. It does not allow you to act as PIC on that type. Full Type Rating (PIC type rating): Authorizes you to act as pilot in command on aircraft that require a type rating (turbojets and large aircraft under U.S. rules). Training and checkride requirements SIC Type Rating under 61.55: Requires a ground familiarization course and at least one flight covering minimum tasks (takeoffs, landings, basic maneuvers, possibly engine‑out work). For a pure SIC‑only limitation, there is typically no dedicated FAA practical test/checkride required; the instructor or training provider documents completion of 61.55 requirements and the rating/limitation is issued accordingly. Full PIC Type Rating: Requires a full type rating course (ground plus simulator and/or aircraft). You must pass a complete practical test (checkride) to type‑rating standards with an examiner, demonstrating full PIC capabilities (normal, abnormal, emergency procedures, instrument work, engine‑out, etc.). Time and training load SIC Type Rating: Can be completed in a short period (often 1–2 days or even less in some operations), because the regulatory requirements are relatively minimal compared to PIC. Full Type Rating: Usually takes significantly longer: days to a couple of weeks depending on the program, often at major training centers (CAE, FlightSafety, or specialized Citation schools). Operational use (U.S. and international context) SIC Type Rating: In practice, it is most important for international operations where compliance with ICAO‑style type rating conventions is scrutinized; in many strictly domestic U.S. situations, an SIC may legally operate without an SIC type annotation as long as 61.55 qualifications are met. The SIC type rating makes your status clear and simplifies acceptance by foreign authorities and operators. Full Type Rating: Required whenever you will act as PIC on an aircraft/type that needs a type rating, regardless of domestic vs. international operations.

What are the requirements to enroll in the CE-500 SIC Type Rating course?

To enroll in our CE-500 SIC Type Rating course you should hold: • Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Multiengine Land rating • Current Instrument Rating • Current 1st Class FAA Medical Certificate • Minimum 500 hours total time • Minimum 50 hours multiengine These minimums help us maintain the highest training quality and safety standards. Candidates slightly below them may still be accepted on a case-by-case basis after a personal evaluation by Captain Keith. (FAR 61.55 sets a lower legal baseline, but these are our program's enrollment standards.)

How long does the course take to complete?

The online ground school can be completed at your own pace, typically in 2–5 days. The in-person flight training in Florida takes 1-2 hours. Most students complete the entire program within one week.

Do I need any prior jet or turbine experience?

No prior jet or turbine experience is required. The ground school covers all CE-500 systems, and flight training is conducted with an experienced pilot-in-command who will guide you through every procedure.

Where does the flight training take place?

The flight training is based at KHWO - North Perry Airport in Florida, offering excellent year-round flying weather and modern facilities.

Is the CE-500 SIC Type Rating recognized internationally?

The type rating is issued by the FAA and recognized wherever FAA certificates are accepted. If you hold a foreign license, you may need to verify with your country's aviation authority how the rating transfers or is validated.

Can I use this rating to build turbine time and advance my career?

Yes. Many pilots use the SIC type rating as a stepping stone to build turbine PIC time, which is highly valued by airlines and corporate flight departments. It's one of the most cost-effective ways to enter the jet world.

What happens after I complete the course?

Upon successful completion, we submit the paperwork to the FAA. Your pilot certificate will be reissued with the CE-500 type rating and "Second in Command Privileges Only" limitation. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.

Can I upgrade to a full PIC Type Rating later?

Yes. The SIC type rating is a great foundation. You can pursue a full PIC type rating later with additional training and an FAA checkride, often at a reduced cost since you'll already be familiar with the aircraft.

What aircraft does this type rating cover?

The CE-500 type rating covers the Cessna Citation 500 series, including the Citation I and Citation I/SP variants.

Can only American citizens study the CE-500 SIC Type Rating course?

No. U.S. citizenship is not required — eligibility is based on pilot qualifications, not nationality. You'll generally need a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multiengine Land and Instrument ratings and a current 1st Class medical (see our Requirements section for the full list). The rating is issued by the FAA under FAR Part 61.55. Non-U.S. citizens with foreign licenses can also train, but typically need to validate their license or obtain an FAA certificate first, and may need to apply through the TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) before flight training in the U.S. — we'll guide you through it. The course also prepares you to be ICAO-qualified for SIC roles on any of the 11 models of the Citation 500 series worldwide.

Is the CE-500 SIC Type Rating accepted in other countries?

Yes, the CE-500 SIC Type Rating is internationally accepted — in fact, that is one of its main purposes. Here's a clear breakdown: Why it was created for international use The SIC Type Rating was introduced to align U.S. pilot certificates with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). While the rating is not required for domestic flight operations within the U.S., it becomes necessary for any pilot acting as SIC on a type-rated aircraft when flying internationally or into foreign airspace. The U.S. is the exception, not the rule Outside the United States, most nations require that both pilots of aircraft requiring two pilots possess a type rating. The United States is about the only country that doesn't require a type rating for both crew members. The SIC rating bridges that gap. ICAO-compliant worldwide The type rating on the certificate complies with ICAO requirements to fly anywhere in the world, and it qualifies pilots for SIC jobs in any of the 11 models of the Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft globally. ⚠️ Important caveat: While the FAA CE-500 SIC Type Rating is ICAO-compliant, individual countries may still require you to validate your FAA certificate with their national aviation authority (e.g., EASA in Europe, ANAC in Brazil) before exercising those privileges locally. Always check the specific requirements of the country where you intend to operate.

How much does the Cessna Citation SIC type rating cost?

The CE-500 SIC type rating cost is $5,000, all-inclusive — online ground school plus flight training in a real Citation 500, with no hidden aircraft or fuel fees. For comparison, a full PIC Citation type rating at a simulator center typically runs $20,000+. So if you're weighing Cessna Citation type rating cost across providers, the SIC route on the CE-500 is one of the most affordable doors into the jet — and you log genuine multi-crew turbine time under FAR Part 61.55. (Travel to Florida and lodging are not included.)

Is there a checkride or practical test?

No FAA checkride is required for an SIC type rating under FAR 61.55. You complete the ground training and at least one training flight covering the required tasks; we then document completion and your certificate is reissued with the CE-500 type rating (Second in Command Privileges Only).

Can I log the flight time, and does it count as turbine time?

Yes. Time flown in the Citation is logged as multiengine turbine jet time. Turbine time is highly valued by airlines, charter (Part 135) operators, and corporate flight departments — which is why the SIC type rating is one of the most affordable ways to start building it.

How is the CE-500 different from the CE-525 (CitationJet) rating?

The CE-500 covers the original Citation 500 series (Citation I, II, Bravo, V, Ultra, Encore, etc.), which are flown by two pilots — ideal for an SIC role. The CE-525 is a separate type rating for the single-pilot CitationJet (CJ) series. Our course is specifically the CE-500.

How quickly can I start and finish?

The online ground school is available immediately and is self-paced (typically 2–5 days). Once you've completed it, we schedule your in-person flight training in Florida at a time that works for you. Most students finish the entire program within one week.

What should I bring to the flight training?

Bring your pilot certificate, current medical certificate, a government-issued photo ID or passport, and your logbook. Foreign nationals should also have their TSA AFSP approval in place before the flight portion.

Is lodging available near the training location?

The flight training takes place at North Perry Airport (KHWO) in Hollywood, Florida, with many hotels nearby in the Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale area. Lodging and travel are not included in the course price, but we're happy to recommend convenient options.

FAR 61.55 (14 CFR 61.55) is the section of the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations that sets the second-in-command (SIC) qualification and training requirements for aircraft type certificated for more than one required pilot — or operated under rules that require an SIC. In plain terms, it's the rule that lets you legally serve as co-pilot (second in command) on aircraft like the Cessna Citation 500 series. To act as SIC under FAR 61.55, a pilot generally must: • Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings (for the Citation, airplane multiengine land). • Hold an instrument rating, or instrument privileges, if the flight is conducted under IFR. • Complete, within the previous 12 calendar months, ground training covering the aircraft's systems, performance, limitations, and normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures, plus crew coordination (CRM). • Complete flight training in that type of aircraft on the required maneuvers and procedures — takeoffs and landings, basic flight maneuvers, engine-out work as applicable, and normal/abnormal/emergency procedures. Importantly, a pure SIC type rating under FAR 61.55 does not require an FAA practical test (checkride). Your instructor and training provider document completion of the requirements, and your certificate is reissued with the type rating annotated "Second in Command Privileges Only." Our CE-500 SIC Type Rating course is built to satisfy all FAR 61.55 SIC type rating requirements — online ground school plus practical flight training in a real Citation in Florida, for $5,000 all-inclusive. (Always confirm details against the current FAA regulation, as rules can change.)

What is an SIC type rating?

An SIC (second-in-command) type rating is an endorsement added to your pilot certificate that authorizes you to act as co-pilot on a specific type of aircraft that requires a type rating — without authorizing you to act as pilot in command (PIC) on that type. It appears on your certificate with the limitation "Second in Command Privileges Only." The SIC type rating was introduced largely to align U.S. certificates with international (ICAO) standards: most countries require both pilots of a two-pilot aircraft to hold a type rating, even though the U.S. domestic rules are more flexible. The SIC type rating bridges that gap and makes you clearly qualified for SIC roles worldwide. For most pilots, the bigger appeal is career growth: an SIC type rating is one of the most affordable, fastest ways to enter the jet world and start building turbine time — experience that airlines, Part 135 charter operators, and corporate flight departments value highly. Our Citation CE-500 SIC type rating delivers exactly that, in a real jet, for $5,000 all-inclusive.

How much does an SIC type rating cost?

The cost of an SIC type rating depends on the aircraft type and the provider, but it is far cheaper than a full PIC type rating because it requires less training and no checkride. For the Cessna Citation 500 series, U.S. providers typically charge somewhere around $5,000–$7,000 for an SIC type rating, while full PIC type ratings at major simulator centers can run $20,000 or more. Our Citation CE-500 SIC type rating cost is $5,000, all-inclusive — one price covers our complete online ground school and all required practical flight training hours in our own Citation, with no hidden aircraft, fuel, or instructor add-on fees. (Travel to Florida and lodging are not included.) It's one of the most cost-effective ways to earn a jet type rating and begin building turbine time.

What is a jet type rating, and how is the Citation SIC type rating different?

A jet type rating is an aircraft-specific certification the FAA requires to fly turbojet (and large) aircraft. It comes in two forms: a full PIC type rating, which lets you act as pilot in command and requires a complete course plus a practical test (checkride); and an SIC type rating, which authorizes you to fly as second in command only and, under FAR 61.55, does not require a checkride. If your goal is to break into jets affordably, build turbine time, and strengthen your résumé for an airline or charter career, the SIC path is the smart first step. The Citation CE-500 SIC type rating is one of the most accessible and affordable jet type ratings available — earned in a real Citation in Florida for $5,000 all-inclusive, with no prior jet experience required.

Where can I get Cessna Citation flight training?

We provide Cessna Citation flight training at North Perry Airport (KHWO) in Hollywood, Florida — in actual Citation aircraft (N31LW and N74LL), not a simulator. The program combines a self-paced online ground school (systems, performance, limitations, and normal/abnormal/emergency procedures for the Citation 500 series) with hands-on flight training led by an experienced Citation captain. It's designed for pilots pursuing a CE-500 SIC type rating under FAR 61.55, and the all-inclusive price is $5,000. Florida's year-round flying weather means scheduling is flexible, and most students complete the entire program within one week.

What does a FAR 61.55 SIC type rating endorsement look like? (Example)

The wording comes from the regulation itself. 61.55(d)(2) states what the endorsement must say — that the applicant "has demonstrated the skill and knowledge required for the safe operation of the [Type of Aircraft], relevant to the duties and responsibilities of a second in command." It is not in AC 61-65K, which carries no sample endorsement for 61.55 at all. We set out the full template, a filled-in CE-500 example, who is allowed to sign it, and what the rule does not require, on our FAR 61.55 page: See the endorsement example in full.

Is the Citation Mustang type rating the same as the CE-500 SIC type rating?

No — they're different ratings for different airplanes. The Citation Mustang is the Cessna Model 510 (CE-510), a very light jet certified for single-pilot operation, so it carries its own separate type rating (CE-510 / CE-510S). Our program covers the CE-500 type rating — the original Citation 500 series (Citation I, II, Bravo, V, Ultra, Encore, and similar), which are two-pilot aircraft. That two-pilot certification is exactly why a Second-in-Command (SIC) type rating applies to the CE-500 and not to the single-pilot Mustang. So if you specifically need the Mustang (CE-510) rating, that's a different course. But if your goal is to break into jets affordably and log genuine multi-crew turbine time, the CE-500 SIC type rating is one of the most cost-effective doors into the Citation family — in a real jet, in Florida, under FAR Part 61.55. Many pilots start here before moving on to other Citation types.

Are the Citation aircraft used for training your own?

Yes. Both Citation I jets (N31LW and N74LL) used in our CE-500 SIC type rating program are owned by our flight instructor, Keith Siilats. You train in his own, professionally maintained aircraft — not a leased jet you've never seen, and not a simulator. That ownership matters: consistent, well-kept airplanes, real in-aircraft turbine time in your logbook, and one-on-one training directly with the captain who owns and flies them. It's a big part of why pilots choose to train with us in Florida, under FAR Part 61.55.

Do you sell Citation aircraft?

We are always open to talking about Citation sales and acquisitions. If you are looking for a Citation Bravo for sale, we currently have one available — reach out to us on WhatsApp for details and pricing.

FAA Ends Citation CE-500 Single-Pilot Exemptions (Sept 2026)

What the FAA decided

The FAA will stop issuing exemptions that let training providers endorse pilots to fly these two-pilot Citations alone.
Exemptions still held by training providers are being rescinded by separate action.
Every single-pilot logbook endorsement issued under those exemptions is no longer valid. Pilots must comply with 14 CFR 91.9 and 91.531 and fly the airplane with two pilots, as the type certificate requires.
One thing survives: if you passed a 61.58 check during that single-pilot training, it still counts toward flying as PIC with a second pilot on board.

Which Citations are affected

These are the models listed in the FAA notice. All are certificated under Part 25, weigh more than 12,500 lb, and require two pilots.

Model	Required pilots
Model 500 — Citation and Citation I	2
Model 550 — Citation II	2
Model S550 — Citation S/II	2
Model 552 — Navy T-47A	2
Model 560 — Citation V and Citation Ultra	2
Model 550 — Bravo	2
Model 560 — Encore	2
Model 560 — Encore+	2

Not affected by this notice: the Part 23 variants (Model 501 and 551), the Citation Mustang (510) and the CitationJet/CJ family (525), which are certificated differently. Keep in mind that a 501 or 551 is only legal to fly solo when it has the extra equipment its flight manual calls for; without it, it also needs an SIC.

Why the FAA did it

The FAA gives three reasons in the notice.

The conditions weren't being met. In 2024 the FAA learned that some providers without an exemption were training pilots under someone else's, and started an audit. It found missing paperwork, required flight training moved into a ground training device (an AATD) that the exemption didn't allow, and examiner checks that were done wrong, some with falsified records. Of the 14 Part 61 providers holding the exemption, only one kept it: the other 13 either didn't answer the FAA's requests for information or were found out of compliance, and lost the exemption or were refused a renewal.
The accident record. Looking back 18 years, the two-pilot Citations flown solo crashed about twice as often as the Citations built for one pilot (the 501, 551, Mustang and CJs). Two recent accidents are still being investigated by the NTSB: May 22, 2025 (WPR25FA161) and Statesville, NC, December 18, 2025 (WPR26MA063).
No one was watching. Once a school signed a pilot off, it had nothing more to do with that pilot, so a pilot could keep flying solo long after the school's exemption had ended.

What this means if you own or fly one of these Citations

From September 29, 2026, every flight in these airplanes needs a pilot in command and a second in command. The SIC must be qualified under FAR 61.55: familiar with the airplane's systems, performance and procedures, with the required takeoffs, landings and training in type, and the logbook endorsement from 61.55(d).

See exactly what 61.55 requires →

Become the second pilot these Citations now need

Our CE-500 SIC type rating trains you under FAR 61.55 in a real Citation, not a simulator, at North Perry Airport (KHWO) in Florida. It is the qualification a Part 91 second in command needs to fly in the right seat of these airplanes.

This page summarizes the FAA policy notice (Federal Register, 91 FR 61135) for general information and is not legal advice. Operators should read the full notice and consult their FSDO or aviation counsel about their specific situation. Last reviewed: September 28, 2026.

The FAA just ended single-pilot exemptions for the Citation 500 series

What the FAA decided

Which Citations are affected

Why the FAA did it

What this means if you own or fly one of these Citations

Become the second pilot these Citations now need