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.