"Cutting Edge" but Controversial Change Leans Into EFBs for Cessna Lineup

Special 04.01.23 Parody Edition: Cessna has unveiled their new standard panel configuration for all piston-engined aircraft for the 2023 model year and beyond, a blank expanse of aluminum.

While the change upends almost a century of tradition, Cessna believes customers will grow to love the minimalistic simplicity of the new designs. Lannie O'Bannion, senior VP of sales and Flight operations, said that previous forays into more futuristic flight deck design were similarly controversial until embraced... especially by the millenial generation.

"Cessna aircraft have been on the cutting edge of aviation for decades, and we're sure that pilots and passengers alike will come to love the simple, lightweight, streamlined flight deck of the future."

Market testing showed that even with top-of-the-line glass panel avionics, 92% of pilots STILL spend most of the flight referencing a tablet, phone, or similar EFB. In a bid to decrease weight, complexity, and maintenance costs, Cessna has moved it all into the dustbin of history. Everything, from instruments and radios to Hobbs and ADS-B is now on the buyer to equip before flight. 

"With such a wide range of portable equipment and bluetooth-capable flight accouterments available, it just seemed silly to insist on equipping every aircraft with expensive, aging avionics. For those hungry for cutting-edge performance, Cessna has partnered with Apple to offer a lease program for the latest and greatest iPads, added to the same payment plan as the aircraft itself for only a modest 17% interest rate (with approved financing)," added O'Bannion.

Cessna now offers only 2 options in their aircraft configurator: A tablet mount for either seat.

FMI: www.textron.com