Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton took some time out at this years AOPA convention held at the Hartford Connecticut Center to talk to us about Cessna's entry into the lightsport aircraft market. Cessna has designated their LSA entry as the 162 SkyCatcher.
When we first saw the SkyCatcher flying at Sebring it was powered by a Rotax 912 S 100 HP aircraft engine. According to Cessna President and CEO Jack Pelton "after feedback from Cessna buyers, dealers and service outlets it was decided to switch the power plant to a Teledyne Continental 0-200D 100 HP aircraft engine."
"Listening to our 300 pilot centers they had some major concerns. They didn't have the history and experience with the Rotax engine, and it doesn't have quite the same warranty as the Continental. They drove us into the configuration of the Continental 0-200" "While there is a slight weight penalty, but with the warranty and TBO perspective it is going to be the best marriage with out airframe."
With the Continental the SkyCatcher is expected to cruise in the range of 118 knots, giving it a range of 470 nautical miles with the 24 gallons of fuel on board. The craft has a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds, and a useful load of 490 lbs. Instrumentation supplied on The SkyCatcher currently is the Garmin G300 avionics package.
The SkyCatcher features a cabin wider than a Cessna 206, with dual controls, mechanically activated flaps, and electric elevator trim.
The vertically opening doors and forward pivoting carbon fiber seats, allow access to the rear baggage area. Pilot entry into the cabin is made easier by the use of specially designed dual control sticks mounted up under the instrument panel.
While the seats are fixed, Cessna has designed a rudder pedal system that moves for and aft to adjust for different pilot heights. Ground handling is through differential braking, assisted by a castering nosewheel.
According the Jack over 850 orders have been taken for the SkyCatcher as of October 2007. First flight of the prototype Model 162 is set for the first half of 2008, and deliveries are expected to begin in 2009.
For more information Cessna Single Engine Piston Aircraft Annex IV 2603 South Hoover Road Wichita, Kansas 67215 USA 1-800-4-CESSNA in the U.S. +1-316-517-6056 outside the U.S. http://www.cessnaskycatcher.com
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