This website uses cookies
More information
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

ACE 2026 - The home of global charter.

Related information from the Handbook...

Cessna Textron Aviation
Aircraft

BAN's World Gazetteer

Kansas
The bimonthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

Bluebird operates new Citation XLS
Bluebird Aviation, based in Bochum, Germany, is operating a new Citation XLS jet for its owners. Captain Oliver Terhorst, md Bluebird Aviation says: "At the moment we are only flying it for the owners because we are waiting for the commercial approval of the aircraft. We are hoping to get the AOC within the next couple of months. There are problems because there is no flight data recorder in the aircraft, but we are working on that and it will come."

Bluebird Aviation, based in Bochum, Germany, is operating a new Citation XLS jet for its owners. Captain Oliver Terhorst, md Bluebird Aviation says: "At the moment we are only flying it for the owners because we are waiting for the commercial approval of the aircraft. We are hoping to get the AOC within the next couple of months. There are problems because there is no flight data recorder in the aircraft, but we are working on that and it will come." The owners bought the aircraft and then asked Bluebird Aviation to operate it. They are using it for business flights to western Europe, in particular, Spain, Austria and the UK. It is kept at Dussledorf Airport. Terhorst thinks the Citation is a good aircraft to fly. The seats are comfortable and he likes the instruments and displays. Its rate of climb and fuel consumption are good too. But, says Terhorst: "The toilet should be serviceable from the outside but it's not. You have to fill it with additional liquid from the inside. It's a small disadvantage." Terhorst doesn't know what the owner's future plans for the aircraft are once the AOC is granted but he thinks that it will fly an increasing number of hours.

Other News
 
Cessna M2 Gen2 with autothrottle is primed to fly
January 17, 2026
Autothrottle technology allows pilots to focus on a variety of operation-critical activities in the cockpit, giving them smoother transitions and greater control throughout the entire flight operation.
Citation Ascend enters service with first retail buyer
January 5, 2026
FAA certification has unlocked service entry for the redesigned 560XL variant with advanced avionics, cabin enhancements and new performance benchmarks.
Citation Ascend picks up FAA type certification
November 10, 2025
With more than 1,000 Cessna Citation 560XL series aircraft delivered since 2000, owners and operators appreciate the aircraft for its unparalleled combination of performance, comfort, ease of operation and range.