NBAA asks FAA for 90-day pause on Citation single-pilot exemption cuts

NBAA and Citation Jet Pilots asked the FAA on Sept. 30 to delay by at least 90 days its move to rescind single-pilot training exemptions for some Cessna Citation aircraft.

• Sept. 30, 2026: NBAA and CJP sent urgent letter to FAA
• Requested delay: at least 90 days
• Aircraft affected: certain Cessna Citation models
• Issue: rescission of single-pilot training exemptions
• Groups asked for collaborative safety and transition planning

NBAA and Citation Jet Pilots are pushing back on the FAA’s planned rescission of single-pilot training exemptions for some Citation operators. Their request is not to scrap the move outright, but to pause it for at least 90 days while the industry and regulator work through the details.

The number that matters is 90 days. For owner-pilots and small flight departments, even a short-notice change can affect crew planning, insurance, training slots and aircraft availability.

This is a practical but high-interest story for private aviation because many light and midsize Citations have long appealed to experienced owner-pilots. Any tightening of single-pilot rules could shift operating costs and change the appeal of some older Citation models in the used market.