Production Decision To Be Made In Early 2007

ANN has been hearing the rumors for some time now... and took note when we saw Cessna bigwigs fly in to Sebring for the annual LSA expo earlier this year. Well, Cessna has just let the feline out of the paper enclosure... by confirming that not only is the company studying the LSA market VERY closely... but that Cessna will be showing a full-scale proof-of-concept design for a new light-sport aircraft at this year's AirVenture 2006.

Cessna calls the newly-emerging Light Sport Aircraft category "the highest growth sector of general aviation."

"As the world's largest producer of single engine piston airplanes, we believe we could bring unique capabilities to this exciting market," said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton. "Our extensive sales and service network could provide an important market advantage, which, in concert with our design and manufacturing experience, could make this an attractive extension of our product line."

Pelton added Cessna is currently studying a wide range of issues associated with entering the sector, to determine if there is a favorable business case. That decision is expected to be made in the first quarter of 2007.

"An important part of our thought process in looking at LSA is the value in terms of new pilot starts. Experience has shown that Cessna brand loyalty is a powerful force in our success, and we believe this new category of aircraft could provide a conduit for new pilots to grow through the Cessna product line in the years ahead," he said.

Even if you're not in the market for an LSA, consider this: the mockup -- to be unveiled at a July 24 press conference at AirVenture 2006 -- could provide the first look at what might be Cessna's first single-engine, piston-driven aircraft since the 172, 182, and 206 were reintroduced in 1996.

In the meantime, we join the aviation community in speculating what the Cessna LSA -- even in proof-of-concept-form -- will look like. Although constrained by the limitations of the sport-pilot category -- max 1,320-lbs gross, two passenger seating, fixed gear -- several companies have already shown there is a wide range of possibilities within the category for some REALLY neat little planes.

Of course, it also bears mentioning that over its long history, Cessna has produced several airplanes that met nearly all the LSA requirements... most recently, the venerable 150/152 (below), which off the production line was simple and slow enough to meet LSA guidelines. That plane is slightly too heavy, though, with a maximum gross weight rating of around 1,650 lbs... but a lot of advancements in weight reduction have been made since then...

So, will Cessna look to its past to produce a light-sport plane? Or will we see something strikingly new from Cessna for the LSA market? Questions like these are why we LOVE this business. Tune in next month.

FMI: www.cessna.com