Concept... Proven!

The SkyCatcher is catching some big orders at AirVenture 2007. Through Tuesday -- just over two days since the planemaker began accepting orders for its new light sport aircraft -- Cessna says it has garnered over 400 orders for the plane.

"Orders in the first two days have been outstanding and support our business decision to enter this booming new market," said Jack Pelton, Cessna chairman, president and CEO. "The combination of new technology in the Garmin avionics suite and lighter-weight Continental engine, and Cessna's reputation for high quality production and world-class product support are proving to be the right mix sought by people looking for a low-cost aircraft option.

"The tremendous response by the market has prompted us to extend our introductory price of $109,500 to the end of AirVenture," Pelton said.

Cessna originally announced it was studying an LSA entry at the 2006 AirVenture in Oshkosh, unveiling a proof-of-concept aircraft used as a flying testbed and to gauge market response. The company announced July 10 it would proceed with development of a new LSA product.

As ANN reported, the SkyCatcher features an exclusive Garmin glass cockpit, the G300, and a Teledyne Continental O-200D lightweight 100-horsepower engine.

FMI: www.cessnaskycatcher.com