Say Hello To SkyCatcher

Getting a jump start on major announcements at AirVenture 2007, in a Sunday morning press conference Cessna Aircraft Company provided further details on its upcoming light sport aircraft entry... the Model 162 "SkyCatcher."

Specifications

Sporting the same general, aluminum-bodied configuration as the proof-of-concept model unveiled last year at AirVenture 2006, the SkyCatcher -- "that's what it is, and that's what it does," says Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton -- sports a high, strut-supported straight wing... rather than the forward-kicked wing seen on the LSA POC, as well as the Next-Generation Piston proof-of-concept. Cessna states the change was made to bring the stall speed down below 45 knots, as required by the light sport aircraft guidelines.

The aircraft, slated to enter service in late-2009 (more on that in a moment), will be powered by a variant of the evergreen Continental O-200 engine. The same engine powered the original Cessna 150, as well as current light-sport aircraft such as the Legend Cub, and AMD Zodiac.

Cessna is awaiting a lower-weight version of the engine, however, dubbed the O-200D. Company representatives tell ANN they target at least a 25-lb. weight reduction.

Any weight reduction will be welcome... as Cessna quotes an empty weight for the SkyCatcher of 830 lbs. That's on the high side of the light sport aircraft market, though Cessna notes this amounts to a weight reduction of 290 lbs over a C-150. That figure leaves 490 lbs for useful load, before butting up against the 1,320 lbs maximum gross weight allowance for LSA. Fuel capacity is 24 gallons US.

Range is also less than some LSAs, with a quoted figure of 470 nautical miles. It's clear the aircraft is optimized for short training hops around the pattern, or quick cross-country legs.

Interior

Though traditional Cessna in exterior appearance and engine configuration, on the inside the SkyCatcher sports several innovations... including a new standard Garmin-sourced glass panel. All SkyCatchers will come with the new G300 panel, combining PFD and MFD onto a single screen. A dual-screen variant of the system is optional, and Cessna will have exclusive rights to the G300 for the foreseeable future.

The aircraft sports a 44.5"-wide interior -- same as a Cessna 206 Stationair, but less than some other LSAs. To save weight, all interior surfaces are painted, and not trimmed in plastic. Pelton notes this also eliminates the trouble of cracked trim pieces, endemic to older, Royalite-plagued Cessnas.

Perhaps the most novel feature, and the single most radical departure from the Cessna single-engine-piston norm, is the control stick arrangement. Yes, that's right -- stick. For the first time since the Cessna 188 ag plane, the SkyCatcher will come with dual control sticks... but arranged cleverly, with all hardware under the panel, instead of protruding through the floor.

This arrangement clears floor space, to assist with ease of entry. Thin, fixed, carbon-fiber-framed seats are another depature from the Cessna norm.

Production Realities

Though much of the development work is complete on the aircraft, there remain enough variables -- including lessons to be learned throughout flight testing, slated to begin in early 2008 -- for Cessna to take a conservative approach to production. As mentioned previously, entry-into-service is planned for the second half of 2009.

There also remains the question of where the LSA will be assembled. Though the decision has likely already been made, Cessna representatives told ANN that piece of information isn't quite ready for public consumption.

Now, the final question -- price. Alas, dreams of a sub-$100K new Cessna aircraft will not become reality, due to what Pelton termed production and product liability costs. Cessna offers the LSA at an introductory price of $109,500 for the first 1,000 aircraft; after that time, base price will increase to $111,500.

Even that price, Pelton said, undercuts all comparably-equipped (i.e, glass-panel-equipped) LSA competition. Of course, several extra-cost options will be available -- including an emergency parachute system (a first from the factory for Cessna), 406 mHz ELT, and wheelpants and different exterior graphics schemes.

Target Market

Though specifics of its marketing plan haven't been ironed out, Cessna is quite clearly targeting young, aspiring pilots -- and the Cessna Pilot Centers who will train them -- for the SkyCatcher. Pelton touted the company's close partnership with the EAA (organization president Tom Poberezny has ordered the first two SkyCatchers off the line, one of which will go to the Young Eagles program) as another avenue to attract SkyCatcher fliers.

Somewhat left behind in Cessna's approach are older pilots, who are attracted to the sport pilot category due to medical issues.

FMI: www.cessnaskycatcher.com, www.airventure.org