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Skycatcher

Old 10-10-2007, 08:17 PM
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I think that the new Cessna Skycatcher is fantastic and will revolutionise pilot training and save GA.

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Old 10-10-2007, 08:41 PM
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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."
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Old 10-11-2007, 01:44 AM
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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
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Old 10-11-2007, 04:56 AM
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does anyone know if the 0-200 tbo times have increased?
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Old 10-11-2007, 06:38 AM
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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!
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Old 10-11-2007, 08:08 AM
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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.
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Old 10-11-2007, 01:00 PM
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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.

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Old 10-12-2007, 08:56 PM
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I think it will be a great trainer, but the price seems pretty hefty for the lsa market.
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Old 10-13-2007, 06:34 AM
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Originally Posted by motoboy View Post
I think it will be a great trainer, but the price seems pretty hefty for the lsa market.
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.

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Old 10-14-2007, 08:58 AM
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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 ).
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