Cessna 510 Citation Mustang (c/n 510-0270, OK-KUK), Pardubice airfield, June 2025.
In 2002, during the National Business Aviation Association convention, Cessna publicly disclosed for the first time its latest development, the Model 510 Citation Mustang. Designed as a light business jet for four to five passengers, the aircraft was powered by two turbofan engines mounted on the aft fuselage.
The prototype of the aircraft successfully performed its maiden flight on 23 April 2005. In September of the following year, the Model 510 received its type certificate and, within a few months, the first production aeroplane was delivered to its customer – GOODE Ski Technologies from Utah.
The Model 510 was developed as a low-wing, cantilever monoplane with a T-tail and retractable tricycle landing gear. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F turbofan engines, each generating 6.5 kN of thrust.
The Mustang offers four comfortable seats in the cabin, plus two additional crew seats in the cockpit. However, the jet was certified for single-pilot operation, offering the possibility to carry a fifth passenger in the cockpit in this configuration.
In 2010, Cessna introduced a modernised variant of the aircraft, known as the High Sierra. The upgraded jet offered improved passenger comfort and was equipped with a modern avionics suite.
Three years later, the American manufacturer introduced its new light business jet, designated the Model 525 and marketed as the CitationJet / Citation M2. This decision brought about a rapid end to the Model 510, as the new aeroplane became its direct competitor. Moreover, the M2 offered six passenger seats, greater range, higher cruise speed and improved comfort – all at a price comparable to the Mustang.
Therefore, it was not surprising that sales of the Model 510 fell by half soon after the Citation M2 entered the market In 2017, after a total of 479 Mustangs had been built, production ceased due to a lack of customers.
Interestingly, the Model 510 proved to be very popular in Europe. Approximately a quarter of the Mustangs fleet was (and still is) registered there.
