The Cessna 500 Citation and 500 Citation I were the pioneers of the entry-level light business jet market. The success of these aircraft formed the world's largest family of corporate jets.
In October 1968, Cessna announced plans to build a new eight-seat jet-powered business aircraft that would be capable of operating into airfields already served by light and medium twins. This aircraft, the Fanjet 500, flew for the first time on September 15, 1969. The new jet was renamed the Citation.
