No New Purchase Agreements Are Being Accepted, Company Says, Position Holders Offered Several Options

Cessna has stopped taking orders for its planned Cessna 182 JT-A diesel-powered aircraft, but an avgas-fueled version of the airplane is about to return to production.

Cessna spokeswoman Lindsay Adrian confirmed to AOPA that the company "is currently not taking new orders for the 182 JT-A. Maintaining the relationship we have with our customers is of the utmost importance to us. Because certification has taken longer than expected, we are giving order holders options, including having their deposit returned.”

Some customers have reportedly cancelled orders in favor of Cirrus aircraft, or have purchased previously-owned turbocharged Skylanes, according to the report.

Cessna still plans to begin deliveries of the 172 JT-A Turbo Skyhawk, though a first delivery date has not been set.

The Skylane was to have been powered by a SMA SR305 turbocharged engine, but one test aircraft suffered a turbocharger failure early in its development. The airplane made a successful off-airport landing. Cessna had sought full certification for the engine, rather than an endorsement of European certification. The engine has reportedly been very reliable in European airplanes.

Cessna has already taken several orders for the Lycoming-powered 182T airplanes, including 17 from the Civil Air Patrol that are already on the production line to be fitted with the diesel engine. Dealers have reportedly confirmed another six orders for the gasoline-fueled airplane beyond the CAP order.

(Image of JT-A Skylane from file)

FMI: www.cessna.com