N563XP

The airframe bearing tail number N563XP is a 2006-built Cessna 560XLS Citation Excel with serial number 560-5617. It is owned and operated by Cessna Aircraft Company (Textron Aviation), a corporate owner based in Wichita, KS, US, and is registered in the US. The airframe has been valued at $4,650,000 and is notable for having been reconfigured from an executive passenger layout to carry internal water tanks and spray plumbing for icing test operations, a modification that reduced its original passenger furnishings in favor of test equipment.

Originally delivered with an executive interior, the cabin of N563XP was reconfigured to carry internal water tanks and spray plumbing for icing test operations, so its passenger accommodation and amenities were reduced to accommodate mission systems and fluid plumbing. The aircraft operates from its corporate base in Wichita, KS, US, under ownership of Cessna Aircraft Company (Textron Aviation), and is used in roles consistent with test and development work rather than standard charter or corporate transport. Typical mission profiles for this airframe reflect short- to medium-range envelope and systems testing consistent with its 1,940 nm range and high-speed cruise capability; maintenance considerations emphasize the additional inspection and servicing demands of installed test plumbing, tanks, and associated structural penetrations.

The Cessna 560XLS Citation Excel family occupies a light-corporate jet niche offering a balance of short-field performance, cabin comfort, and operating economy; this airframe’s cruise of 441 kts and ceiling of 45,000 ft reflect that performance envelope. Competing models in the class typically include other light-cabin business jets offering similar range and speed; however, the value and resale profile of this specific airframe are affected by its specialized icing test modifications, which can limit immediate buyer demand to operators or organizations that can reutilize or revert the test configuration. Maintenance and resale considerations for N563XP therefore center on restoration of executive interiors versus continued use in special-mission roles.