Posted on 07/23/2007 2:07:32 PM PDT by Domandred
The Model 162 SkyCatcher will be Cessna Aircraft Co.'s entry in the Light Sport Aircraft category.
Cessna made the announcement and rolled out a full-scale mockup Sunday during the opening day of the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual convention in Oshkosh, Wis.
The two-seat airplane has an initial price of $109,500 for the first 1,000 airplanes ordered, then the price will be $111,500.
Keeping the airplane in the $100,000 range was one of the goals set by Jack Pelton, Cessna chairman, president and CEO, during the program's development. Cessna announced its LSA program during the 2006 EAA convention and has been soliciting customer opinions before making the decision to proceed with production.
The airplane will cruise at 118 knots (136 miles per hour) with a maximum range of 470 nautical miles. The SkyCatcher has a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds and carries 24 gallons of fuel.
Cessna plans to build 700 airplanes a year once the assembly line reaches full production by 2011. Company officials hope the new airplane will be attractive to flight training schools as well as light sport aircraft enthusiasts.
The airplane will be certified under American Society for Testing and Materials regulations rather than the Federal Aviation Administration, although Cessna plans to conduct many of the tests required for FAA certification.
The company plans to certify the SkyCatcher in the first half of 2008 with first customer delivery scheduled in 2009.
Cessna is at the top of the Wichita Business Journal's 2007 list of the area's largest employers.
Doesn’t really look that much different from a 152, just freshened and updated. I wonder if they’ll offer a version without the fancy glass cockpit, and if that would reduce the price any.
}:-)4
60G’s of that price is most likely the liability cost per aircraft....
I’ll be over on Thursday. Flying in to Appleton.
I’ve read a few times that the product liability costs for light aircraft producers more than doubles the cost of the aircraft to the consumer.
I remember an attempt by congress to limit product liability for aircraft manufacturers, but it died.
Treasure Coast Airpark.
I fly an RV6A.
I go to the Tiki once in a while.
Why’d ya stop instructing?
My son is working to get his licence currently out at Indiantown with Jim Howard.
And where do you keep your plane?
NO, but other comanies have stepped up to the plate.
Knock offs like the legend super cup and many others that nearly copy the cubs attributes. And son=metime far exceed the cubs capabilities.
The little wheel is on the wrong end.
If you can see the mountain what’s the problem?
Funny. I wonder how many doctors were weeded out by Bonanazas?!
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