Enough Of The Excuses... Here Are Our Final Decisions On The Best Birds Of The Year

Final Compilations by ANN Editor-In-Chief/Roving Aeronaut, Jim Campbell

Each year, we put our heads together, look over reader input as well as our own reports and other sources of info and try to recognize the VERY BEST aircraft in a number of pivotal categories. This particular series will cover the aircraft we consider to be the VERY BEST of the whole breed.

The following award categories have been established:

• E-LSA Kit Category
• S-LSA RTF (Ready To Fly) Category
• Amateur-Built/Experimental Kit Category
• GA Piston-Single Engine Category
• GA Piston-Twin Engine Category
• GA Turbine-Single Engine (Turboprop)
• GA Turbine-Multi Engine (Turboprop)
• GA Turbine (Jet)
• Plane Of The Year (The Best Of Them All -- Regardless of Category)

Each year, the choices get tougher. Worse; we tend to also make it more difficult by tightening the reins on the decision making process so that it gets harder and harder to make the cut as the best in any category, much less wind up at the top of the pack as our Overall Plane Of The Year selection.

As this year came to a close, we also made some additional decisions as to what constitutes a "Best of Breed" and how wide we wanted to cast the net and wound up adding some categories to recognize some birds that truly deserved the nod. As noted in past years, it struck us that naming an overall "best" aircraft across the entire spectrum of general (or sport) aviation is probably no longer reasonable. Which isn't to say that we won't make a selection... but that we reserve the right not to do so if no specific aircraft steps to deserve the title. There are simply too many aircraft that have distinguished themselves in too many outstanding ways for one to readily be called better than the other on an overall basis. One man's perfect high-speed Hot-Rod, for instance, becomes the expensive "way too hot to handle" mistake of another pilot whose mission requirements may differ markedly. So... we're going to cop out -- just a bit, mind you. From here on out, we will name the best aircraft in individual categories, and reserve the right in the future to whittle down those categories as necessary which means that MAYBE we WON'T name an overall winner each year... and MAYBE  we will -- we're picky that way. The fact of the matter is that no one airplane is all things to all pilots, and within the spectrum that we have decided on, these are the aircraft selections that truly impressed us in each of the chosen categories -- and that each year, MAYBE there will be an overall winner... and MAYBE not.

Are we absolutely (crystal) clear on this now (grin)?

Let me also note that while aircraft that previously were named Best Of Breed in any category, or overall, are eligible for inclusion in this year's list, we have decided to make it more difficult (in our judging protocols) for a previous winner to take the top spot in our judging criteria, so that a repeat winner truly earns the distinction (and frankly, that hasn't happened in a while). And finally... we totally reserve the right to weasel out a bit and name more than one winner in a category where the margin of victory is simply too close (or subjective) to call.

That said, herewith our selections for ANN's 2009 Plane of The Year: S/LSA

(Tie Vote) Cessna C-162 SkyCatcher, Flight Design CTLS

Destined to be fierce competitors, these two aircraft represent the very best of the current crop of ready-built LSAs -- for a number of reasons... 

For many years, when evaluating the cream of the crop in terms of airframe and manufacturer, the name Flight Design was always a major player, but the recent entry of Cessna, now with an actual delivery under their belt (which is necessary to qualify for this award), means that the top ranks of the LSA market are going to be shook up... again.

And when that happens, the entire industry benefits.

Barely a dozen years after the first CT entered production in June 1997, the Flight Design Team is keeping the LSA market busy with new CTLS airframes heading for th skies in respectable and surprisingly consistent numbers. The CTLS came about as a response to customer requests from previous variants. Powered by a Rotax 912S, the CTLS offers a Cruise Speed of 115 kts, a Stall Speed (VS0) of 39 kts, and a Vne of 145 kts. The climb rate is 805 fpm, and the 34 gallon tanks offer a no reserve range of 830 miles. The bird needs but 800 feet for takeoff and boasts an impressive glide ratio of 14:1.

Just as important, the aircraft offers a truly stylish appearance, adept handling and is (as noted) produced by one of the most experienced LSA builders in the known universe... and on a personal note, I've known Flight Design USA's Tom Peghiny for DECADES (repeat after me... ouch... I'm getting old) and he is a person who has earned my trust -- making him an easy person to recommend.

On the other side of the tie is a GA behemoth... mighty Cessna... a bit bruised and beaten down by the vagaries of a mismanaged and faltering economy, Cessna clearly has its mind on a better future... and part of that future is being build on the fortunes of the C-162 SkyCatcher. Powered by an updated Continental O-200D, the C-162 offers a max Cruise Speed of 118 kts, a service ceiling of 15,500 ft, needs 1250 ft for takeoff and only 1,040 ft for landing. The aircraft has a rate of climb of 890 fpm and a range of over 540 sm.

ANN was the first to present a flight review of the C-162 and clearly had a ball with it. ANN test pilot, Jim Campbell, noted that "Right up front, let us tell you, the SkyCatcher does NOT disappoint... it is a thoroughly sweet little airplane with great manners, a pleasant aerodynamic profile, as good a performance envelope as LSA regs allow and on top of all that, is just plain fun to fly. In other words, the SkyCatcher is one heck of a nice little airplane and a fitting way for Cessna to put its best foot forward in bringing forth a new generation of entry level airplanes. Of particular note is Garmin's EXCELLENT G300 glass panel, the easily operated and powerful addition of the TCM O-200D and the WIDE comfy cabin. But More than that... its just a sweetie in the air... simple, reasonably fast, agile and with nary the hint of a bad habit. Yeah, we had a ball with the critter."

Right from the start, the SkyCatcher offers an impressive package... and boasts one of the most venerated names in GA to back it up.

Both offerings represent truly impressive fortunes for the future of the LSA market... despite the difference in how these aircraft are built and brought to market, they both deserve the accolades associated with being named ANN's S-LSAs of 2009.

FMI: www.flightdesignusa.com, www.cessna.com