Cessna is pushing ahead with deliveries of its new C162 Skycatcher.
The iconic GA aircraft manufacturer announced late last week at the US Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida that it has now received more than 60 Skycatcher LSAs from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the Chinese company contracted to build the aircraft.
Following construction in Shenyang, the aircraft are sent to Yingling Aviation in Wichita for reassembly, and to date more than 30 examples of the latest addition to the Cessna family have been delivered to customers.
“Our US reassembly facility is receiving Skycatchers from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation at an increased cadence, but most importantly the quality of the aircraft continues to be excellent,” Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton said.
“Feedback from our customers – individuals and flight schools alike – has affirmed the need for a light sport aircraft with the Cessna brand. It’s encouraging to see the Skycatcher enter service in such a positive way.”
Cessna says it is on track to deliver 150 Skycatchers in 2011, including the first models to feature the McCauley two-blade, fixed-pitch composite propeller.
Announced in 2007, the Skycatcher, or C162, is Cessna’s entry into the burgeoning light sport aircraft category. It features the Garmin G300 avionics suite and a Teledyne Continental O200D engine.
Priced at US$112,250, the two-seat, single-engine aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 118 knots with a maximum range at 6000 feet of 440 nautical miles.
Local Cessna representative Aeromil Pacific plans on having the first Skycatcher in Australia on display at the forthcoming Avalon Airshow, although this is yet to be confirmed.
The Skycatcher with new McCauley 1L100 prop. (Cessna)
