Skycatcher
 

I think that the new Cessna Skycatcher is fantastic and will revolutionise pilot training and save GA.

Skyhigh

The press release says this about the new plane. Price is low enough to tempt this student pilot! :)

"An introductory price of $109,500 will hold for the first 1,000 orders and then increase to $111,500.

The SkyCatcher features an exclusive Garmin glass cockpit – the G300 – and a Teledyne Continental O-200D 100-horsepower engine designed specifically for LSA. The aircraft will cruise at speeds up to 118 knots and will have a maximum range of 470 nautical miles. It will be capable of Visual Flight Rules/Day/Night operations.

The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds, a service ceiling of 15,500 feet, a useful load of 490 pounds and a usable fuel load of 24 gallons. Its cabin width at shoulder height is 44.25 inches, and two cabin entry doors and forward pivoting seats give access to a 12.5 cubic-foot baggage compartment. The SkyCatcher has tricycle landing gear with a castering nose wheel and standard dual toe-actuated disc brakes.

The aluminum aircraft will meet ASTM standard F2245 for light sport aircraft. First flight of the prototype SkyCatcher is set for the first half of 2008 and deliveries are expected to begin in 2009. Cessna expects to produce up to 700 a year at full-rate production."

I think you may be partially right sky

We (employer) bought 2 and although I will no longer be here when they arrive I actually find myself getting excited about it. It is back to the basics with a new twist. I actually find myself having a great time when I step back into a 152 to instruct (no one flies it at my school over the sp's)

I think that it will introduce a new price that makes flight training a little more reasonable and I think it will inspire a few more people to invest in aircraft. I personally would spend half that on a used aeronca or cessna 170 but that is just my taste

does anyone know if the 0-200 tbo times have increased?

I think that they just re-invented the 152 really. Just modernized it a little, but actually went back to some old-school design. That solid skin of metal from the trailing edge of the wing to the tail on the fuselage is very "early" 172 design before they made it into a window and flattened it out. I have only seen this plane once, and wasn't able to inspect it up close. I will say that purple paint is hideous!!!!!!!

In the end, I feel this whole LSA market can help save aviation training. All the big manufacterers are going big, and expensive. There's really not a good "ole" faithful plane out there that is practical and cheap to operate for training, which is what people need is affordable training!!!!! Not to mention that too many people feel they need the "Latest and greatest of everything" in their basic trainer. So kudo's to Cessna for being a big company with a small plane!

Sky, your 150 cost less that 20% of that thing and has the same engine.

I'm a big fan of LSA, though, and hope Cessna sells a lot of these things. If you want a new airplane to impress students and be cost effective, it sure saves a lot of money over a new 172 with a G1000.

Skycatcher and Me
 

As I see it in a few years my little 150M will be up against a new engine, avionics, paint and after all that (Possibly 30K) it would still be an old plane.

The new SC not only is LSA (no medical, owner maintained) but also is 30 years newer. It offers modern safety features like, a glass cockpit, AP, BRS Chute and the ability for TCAS. Best of all the cabin is as wide as a 206.

Seems to me Cessna kept the best of the old while incorporating the finest of the new. The price tag is a bit of a sticker shock but I think that acquiring one is the best offense towards insuring a future in the sky.

Skyhigh

I think it will be a great trainer, but the price seems pretty hefty for the lsa market.

Lsa
 

Cessna intends for it to be a primary trainer. It really isn't being focused at old retired guys. Even so every other main stream LSA plane is equivalently priced.

Jim

I'm sure it will make a great trainer, but the no-IFR thing bothers me. I'm not sure they could even certify it for IFR under LSA...I suspect not.

Personally I would be better served by a nice $30K 152 with pitot heat (that's the difference between IFR and non-IFR in 152's :rolleyes: ).

The fact its not IFR bothers me, and personally If I were training I would not wish to train in it. I highly doubt the price differnce will be that much differnt, and if you want to do IFR training you must get into another aircraft. Good for the sport pilot maybe, but thats it.

Sk
 

It offers A/P and dual glass panels as options. It is close to being IFR now. Better than most flight school steam gauge antiques. My guess is that in 3 years when they really begin pumping them out the door there will either be an IFR option or the after market will find a way to do it.

SkyHigh

Can an aircraft certified as Light Sport operate under IFR rules? I thought they were limited to VFR only.

But then again, if the model shows success and their is a push to allow IFR flight in light sport aircraft then I'm sure Cessna and the AOPA will flex their lobbying muscles and get it done.

Cessna
 

Cessna claims that their intent for the SC is as an initial trainer replacement for the 152. They went on to mention that the do not "intend" to certify it for IFR. They do not wish to raid sales from their 172 and 182 line. Pressure from FBO's I feel will make them change their minds.

Skyhigh

But wouldn't that require re-certification under Normal or Utility classification? Maybe I'm off base here, I need to check the regs.

Is it lighting protected? Is it made out of composite materials?

I understand the lightning/composite material gig is also something that keeps some LSA being IFR certified.

I know, the steam gauges are evil....

It's all alumimum, I did a walk around today. It has a wide pilot/passenger zone in contrast to the 150/152. The cargo area is roomy too. I would say the only bad thing is the non-IFR aspect. The mockup does not have a landing light, not sure why; the preliminary specs say it is intended for night vfr despite that a sport pilot is not allowed to fly at night. It has a skylight in the cargo area which helps make it bright back there. Lots of LEDs, nice panel, nice aircraft. I'd still go for a used 152, but I'm on a tight budget.

Does the Symphony aircraft fall into the LSA category?

No it doesn't- too heavy, too fast.

LSA specs from wikipedia here