Cessna reported 920 orders for Skycatcher in the 10 weeks between EAA’s AirVenture and AOPA’s Expo. Curiously, FAA data for SLSA registered through September 2007 showed a slip in the pattern of steady monthly growth. Does it sound logical that Cessna’s $4.6 million of orders — the retail price value of 40 or 45 SLSA — account for this slump? Although refundable, those orders should eventually translate to more than $100 million worth of Skycatcher sales. Cessna said it expects to produce 700 a year at full production. *** Let’s compare that with the balance-of-the-industry performance. Three quarters of the way through 2007, the entire LSA industry has registered 609 airplanes. On an annualized basis this yields 812 units. So, if industry players other than Cessna can double sales in two years (a reasonably conservative estimate), Cessna would represent 30% of the total when they reach full production.
Archives for April 2010
Cessna Debuts Its Skycatcher LSA at Oshkosh
In a major ceremony the day before AirVenture Oshkosh opened, Cessna debuted a “full-scale mock-up” of the Skycatcher. And indeed it showed some fresh ideas. But first, the answers to common questions. *** Bowing to the established A&P community the Wichita giant selected a Contintental O-200 100-hp engine. Later they hope the engine will trim 25-30 pounds, an important goal as empty weight came in at 830 pounds. Price was set at $109,500 though Skycatcher comes equipped with a slim, vertically-oriented Garmin G300 PFD/MFD (a second screen is optional); offered exlusively by Cessna. Cabin width is an adequate 44.25 inches, some five inches wider than a C-150 (though less generous than many LSA). *** Innovations include an excellent joystick that routes forward so the floor is unobstructed for entry. Rudder pedals, not seats, adjust (see big black knob at lower left). The flap handle is recessed in a center console. Cessna says the yet-to-fly Skycatcher will cruise up to 118 knots for 470 nm on 24 gallons of fuel.
One Production Skycatcher Here… 999+ to Follow
It begins! The long awaited arrival of Cessna into the ranks of Special Light-Sport Aircraft has begun, with the first Shenyang-produced Skycatcher arriving in Wichita. The company reports taking more than 1,000 orders. At Oshkosh 2009, company officials said production would commence as originally planned in 2009 but that 2010 will be the year of substantial deliveries from their Chinese contract manufacturer. Soon, we’ll begin to see registered Skycatchers show up on our market share reports. *** Magazine reporters started to gain access for evaluation flights, though the first of those occurred on a slightly overweight prototype. Initial reports were positive, mirroring comments from Cessna managers who have gotten to fly the prototypes. Performance and payload are factors sure to be gauged by additional flight reviewers as production versions become available. So far, flights have occurred on the #2 prototype that was rebuilt after an incident following spin tests; that aircraft landed under parachute canopy and did not sustain major damage.
Here Comes Cessna Skycatcher…Right on Schedule
Through the years of design development, few expected Cessna would delay their release of the Skycatcher. Any naysayers were wrong. *** At several meetings with Cessna leaders at Oshkosh 2009, I consistently heard that a small number of Skycatchers would be built in 2009, which means the big producer is right on schedule. Even with the global aviation turmoil that also engulfed the company (employment is off more than 50% at present), Cessna is staying the course with their LSA entry. *** Notably, Skycatcher serial number one will go to Rose Pelton, the charming wife of Cessna President, CEO, and Chairman, Jack Pelton. As LAMA founder Larry Burke and I visited with Rose during AirVenture, she expressed great enthusiasm about pursuing her Sport Pilot certificate once the new bird arrives. *** Top management persons such as Piston Aircraft VP, John Doman, and Communications VP, Bob Stangerone, have recently had a chance to fly the new Light-Sport Aircraft from Cessna.
Catching Up with Cessna’s Skycatcher Plans
Everyone interested in Light-Sport Aircraft is aware of Cessna’s loss of prototype #1 when it entered an “unrecoverable spin.” After Cirrus Design announced a slowdown in the development of their SRS, people have been wondering if Cessna would alter their plans for Skycatcher. Short answer: No. All is proceeding according to schedule. *** At AOPA Expo 2008, the Wichita giant reported that the now-lost Skycatcher prototype accumulated 220 hours in flight testing. Cessna will enlist their first production model to complete these primary evaluations. A third Skycatcher airframe will undergo various static tests. *** The company remains dedicated to ASTM standards. However, as general aviation’s leading producer, Cessna prefers to go beyond industry consensus standards so they also plan ground vibration tests (which can check for flutter) and airframe fatigue testing. Both employ elaborate test equipment to evaluate an airframe’s integrity and response to repeated in-flight loads.
Fuel Cell Trike Wins At Aero
French hang glider pilot and light sport innovator and entrepreneur Gérard Thevenot has been a visionary all his life. I’ve profiled him previously regarding his efforts to create alternative-powered sport aircraft.
Fuel CellTrike Wins At Aero
French hang glider pilot and light sport innovator/entrepreneur G©rard Thevenot has been a visionary all his life. I’ve profiled him previously re his efforts to create alternative-powered sport aircraft. *** He’s been testing electric trikes for Yuneec, the China company that’s developing several commercial sky-breaking electric aircraft designs. *** And last fall he set an electric trike record for sustained power flight of 1 hour 16 min. *** Today comes word from Aero 2010 International Exhibition for General Aviation, the big European airshow, that Thevenot has been awarded the 2010 E-Flight Award for his hydrogen fuel cell-powered trike. *** His trike is one of three fuel-cell powered aircraft exhibiting at this year’s Aero show. *** A fuel cell is a power source that creates enough electricity to drive an electric motor, using, in Thevenot’s case, only hydrogen fuel and oxygen. *** The exhaust components?
Electric Take 2
Alright, I’m succumbing to Electric Fever a bit more today, but a more-thorough reading of that excellent FlightGlobal piece I mentioned in the post below has a lengthy discussion about PC-Aero, a German firm that’s coming out with its own line of electric-powered aircraft…including a four-seater for General Aviation. *** The brains behind this effort live inside Mr. Calin Gologan, who predicts an all-electric four-seat GA airplane in the next ten years. *** His company is debuting his first prototype, a single-seater electric dubbed Elektra One, at the European Aero show in Friedrichshafen this week. *** Apparently the tantalizing prospect of winning the $1.5 million in prize money offered by the CAFE Green Flight Challenge (in 2011) was the kicker to start Gologan down the E-Plane path. *** The Electra One will be followed by an Elektra Two (two seats) and Elektra Four (four) down the road.
Electric Aircraft, Take 2
Alright, I’m succumbing to Electric Fever a bit more today, but a more-thorough reading of that excellent FlightGlobal piece I mentioned in the post below has a lengthy discussion about PC-Aero, a German firm that’s coming out with its own line of electric-powered aircraft…including a four-seater for General Aviation. *** The brains behind this effort live inside Mr. Calin Gologan, who predicts an all-electric four-seat GA airplane in the next ten years. *** His company is debuting his first prototype, a single-seater electric dubbed Elektra One, at the European Aero show in Friedrichshafen this week. *** Apparently the tantalizing prospect of winning the $1.5 million in prize money offered by the CAFE Green Flight Challenge (in 2011) was the kicker to start Gologan down the E-Plane path. *** The Electra One will be followed by an Elektra Two (two seats) and Elektra Four (four) down the road.
Knocking Around The Sky
Dan Johnson’s got a good piece today on his SPLOG (Sport Pilot Blog) about the rise of lower-cost LSA in a struggling economy — good reading and a good place to start for those of you heading to Sun ‘n Fun looking for a bargain — and who’s not looking for a bargain these days? *** Also comes word that Michael Combs is demonstrating what all pilots know: nothing’s suckier than sucky weather. He’s stuck right at the beginning of his epic 50-state tour, meant to symbolize the power and importance of staying in touch with your dreams, in Salina, KS, courtesy bad Spring weather. *** Tough luck Michael but we’re following your adventure and know you’ll be on your way before long. *** His quest is called The Flight for the Human Spirit. *** The goal is to fly into all 50 states, making stops in 135 cities and towns across America. Total mile tally: 19,400 and 40 days. Wishing you sunlight and tailwinds: Bon Sport Voyage, Michael!