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.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.05.24)
See All