N61HA

The airframe bearing tail number N61HA is a 1978 Cessna 501 Citation I/SP, constructor serial 501-0044, currently owned by Mighty Horn Ministries Inc of Lebanon, OH, US. The airframe is US-registered (US) and operated from the owner’s home base in Lebanon, Ohio, under corporate ownership. Documented valuation for this specific jet is $800,000, reflecting its vintage late-1970s build and typical market condition for early Citation I series examples. Service history notes are limited in the supplied data; however, the airframe’s corporate registry and continued single-pilot executive fit indicate retained operational status rather than permanent storage.

The cabin of this Citation I/SP is configured in an executive single-pilot layout accommodating 5–8 passengers with forward club/sofa seating, an aft lavatory and a small refreshment center, consistent with the type’s corporate mission profile. Avionics aboard examples of this model commonly retain original Sperry/Collins SPZ-series installations, though some airframes have received Garmin retrofit avionics; the installed fit on N61HA is not specifically enumerated in the provided data. Typical missions for this airframe type and operator include short- to mid-range executive transport, medical or ministry-related travel within the aircraft’s 1,328 nm range and cruise at 322 kts, often flown single-pilot to maximize operational economy. Maintenance and operational considerations for this airframe reflect its age and Pratt & Whitney JT15D-1 powerplants, requiring type-specific maintenance programs and periodic avionics modernization to sustain utility and resale value.

The Cessna 501 Citation I/SP occupies the light corporate jet niche introduced in the 1970s, offering modest range and single-pilot capability compared with later Citation variants. With a service ceiling of 41,000 ft and a cruise near 322 kts, it competes historically with other light business jets of the era and remains of interest to buyers seeking lower acquisition cost—illustrated by the $800,000 valuation—while accepting higher maintenance and systems-upgrade needs. Resale and charter demand for this family tends toward owner-operators and niche operators willing to invest in avionics retrofits or engine/airframe overhauls to extend operational life.