Originally Posted by
portsharbourflyer
For those considering the citation rating for career progression; which rating variant would it be best to obtain?
500/550 (1, 11, Bravo),
525 (CJ1,CJ2),
560 (Encore, Excel)
I believe you might be slightly misinformed here (regarding the Excel) so here's a review. The CE-500 Type Rating is a very versatile rating. It gives you privileges in the 500, 501, 550 (II S/II, and Bravo), 551, 560 (V, Ultra, and Encore). Get the 500 type and do differences training for your specific model you shall fly, and you're legal. The Excel, although a "560" model designation, is a different type rating altogether; a CE-560XL, I believe. If I could only have one of the type ratings, it would be the 500. The 560XL type only lets you fly the Excel, the 525 rating is good, but the 500 rating covers many more aircraft. A side benefit to the 525 series is that as a part 23 aircraft, you don't need to do a yearly Single Pilot waiver.