N501SV

The airframe bearing tail number N501SV is a 1977-built Cessna 501 Citation I/SP, constructor serial 501-0005, manufactured by Cessna (Textron Aviation). It is owned by ELITE JETS GROUP, a corporation based in Modesto, CA, US, which appears as the registered operator/home base on recent records. FAA registration data for this airframe reflects an 8-seat certification, while broker material and listings have described executive cabin configurations and recent avionics updates; these registry notes and marketing descriptions are among the most notable recorded actions for this specific airframe. The airframe is currently valued at $875,000, reflecting age, equipment, and reported configuration.

This airframe is certificated in the single-pilot I/SP layout and broker advertising describes an executive interior with an aft three-place couch and aft baggage space, consistent with a typical 5–6 passenger executive configuration, while FAA records list 8 seats. A recent broker listing also indicates avionics updates including a Garmin GTN 750/650 suite, improving situational awareness and modern navigation capability for single-pilot operations. Typical mission profiles for this airframe would include short- to mid-range executive transport and light charter work out of its Modesto, California base, leveraging the Citation I/SP’s efficient turbofan power and 1,328 nm range. Maintenance considerations for this specific airframe would center on legacy JT15D engine support and airframe corrosion/control-system inspections typical of late-1970s production jets.

The Cessna 501 Citation I/SP occupies the light business jet niche as an early Citation derivative optimized for single-pilot operation with turbofan efficiency and a 41,000 ft ceiling. Competing models in its historical and secondary market segment include other light jets of the late 1970s and 1980s, where buyers balance acquisition cost, avionics upgrades, and engine support. For this particular airframe, value and resale considerations hinge on maintained JT15D engine time, the installed Garmin GTN 750/650 avionics, and interior configuration discrepancies between broker listings and FAA records, all of which influence charter acceptability and private-owner desirability.