Cessna 162
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Model 162 Skycatcher | |
|---|---|
 N158CS, the proof-of-concept, on display at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006. |
|
| Type | Civil aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
| Maiden flight | October 13 2006 (concept aircraft) March 8 2008 (conforming prototype)[1] |
| Unit cost | $111,500 |
The Cessna 162 Skycatcher (or SkyCatcher) is a two-seat light-sport aircraft. The latest aircraft in the Cessna general aviation product line, its intended market is flight training and personal use.
Contents |
[edit] Development
Cessna had announced its intentions to study the feasibility of developing and producing an LSA aircraft on June 6 2006.[2] The concept design was unveiled on July 24 2006 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh as the Cessna LSA (also referred to as the Cessna Sport), via a marketing study of the feasibility of producing an aircraft compliant with the FAA's new Light-sport Aircraft category.
On October 13 2006, nine months after launching the program, the concept prototype aircraft, registered N158CS, first flew, departing McConnell Air Force Base for Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport and reaching a speed of 110 knots. Cessna formally launched the Skycatcher program July 10 2007, following with a press event on July 22 2007 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh [3] that unveiled a full-scale mockup and details about the planned production version. Cessna President Jack Pelton made the announcement:
After conducting extensive market research, it is clear to us there is a great need for this aircraft as we strive to drive down the cost of flying and learning to fly. We believe this aircraft will make a major contribution to stimulating new pilot starts and will encourage already-licensed pilots to continue to fly because it will be more affordable. We have developed a business case that makes sense; we have incorporated several innovative features into the design; and we believe we can deliver the finest aircraft in the category, combined with our extensive customer service, flight training and distribution networks, at an attractive price.
The conforming prototype had its first flight on March 8 2008[1] and the first production aircraft flew on May 5, 2008.[4]
[edit] Pricing and production targets
Cessna President and CEO Jack Pelton had originally indicated that Cessna was aiming for a price of under US$100,000 for the aircraft, which Pelton indicated would be a challenge to achieve. At that price point Pelton predicted that Cessna would be able to sell 600 of the aircraft per year.[5]
The July 22 2007 announcement indicated that these price goals were not met. The first 1000 aircraft ordered were sold for USD$109,500. The price has since been increased to $111,500.[6]
[edit] Orders
On August 9 2007 Cessna Aircraft announced that they had orders for 720 Skycatchers totalling USD$75M.[7] By November 24, 2007 Cessna had 850 firm orders.[8]
[edit] Chinese production controversy
On 27 November 2007 Cessna announced that the Cessna 162 would be made in the People's Republic of China by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which is a subsidiary of China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I), a Chinese government-owned consortium of aircraft manufacturers.[9] By manufacturing the aircraft in China, Cessna reports that it saved USD$71,000 in production costs per aircraft produced, or about 40% of the cost. A second reason cited for moving production to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation was that Cessna has no plant capacity available in the USA.[10]
The decision to produce the aircraft in China has been controversial and Cessna has received a high degree of negative feedback from Cessna 162 customers and potential customers.[11]
[edit] Design
[edit] Construction
The Cessna 162's structure is mostly aluminum with a fiberglass cowling. Cessna LSA Project head Neal Wilford indicated in August 2006 that Cessna was investigating the use of "match hole drilling" to reduce costs and simplify construction of the design. This technique is widely used in the kit-plane industry and in construction of larger aircraft, but would be Cessna's first use in its single-engine line.[12]
At a January 2007 LSA event, Cessna hinted that the aircraft's wing might be lowered and the cabin/wing interface smoothed from the prototype gull wing fairing configuration. This re-design work was eventually carried out and the second aircraft differs from the initial prototype in these features. As of January 2007 the prototype had over 50 hours of flight test time, including several long cross country flights.
The high-wing monoplane has fixed tricycle landing gear, with a castering nosewheel. The wingspan is 30 feet (9.14 m) and internal cabin width is 44 inches (1.12 m) at shoulder height. The doors are different from previous two-seat Cessna models in that they open by swinging upward. The controls are unusual for a Cessna (except for the Cessna 188 series) in that they are floor-mounted control sticks instead of instrument panel mounted yokes.
[edit] Engine
The Cessna 162 is powered by an air-cooled, carbureted Continental O-200D engine, producing 100 hp at 2,800 rpm. It directly drives a two-blade, fixed pitch composite propeller.[13]
[edit] Avionics
The Cessna 162 Skycatcher will be delivered with a Garmin G300 EFIS installed, as well as a Garmin SL40 communications radio, a GTX327 transponder, and a 121.5 MHz ELT. Flight data will be presented on the G300 in a single, split-screen combination primary flight display and multi-function display. Information can also be shown on two full-screen displays with installation of a second screen, which will be a purchase option.
[edit] Parachute system
On October 9, 2007 Cessna announced that a Ballistic Recovery Systems airframe ballistic parachute system will be a factory-installed option on the Cessna 162.[14]
[edit] Flight Rules
The Cessna 162 will be equipped for Visual Flight Rules, day and night flying.
[edit] Performance
The Skycatcher will be capable of cruise at speeds as high as 118 knots (136 mph/219 km/h), with a maximum range of 470 nautical miles at a gross weight of 1,320 lb (599 kg).[1]
Compared to other LSAs the Cessna 162 has a low full fuel payload. With a full fuel load of 26 US gallons (144 lbs) the aircraft has 346 lbs remaining for occupants and baggage.[1]
[edit] Specifications
Data from Flying Magazine[15] and Cessna.com[13]
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 22.8 ft (6.95 m)
- Wingspan: 30.0 ft (9.14 m)
- Height: 8.53 ft (2.53 m)
- Wing area: 120 ft² (11.14 m²)
- Empty weight: 830 lb (376.5 kg)
- Useful load: 490 lb (222.3 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,320 lb (598.7 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Continental O-200D flat-four engine, 100 hp (74.6 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 118 knots (218 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 112 knots (207 km/h)
- Range: 380 nm (705 km) at 6,000 ft (1830 m)
- Service ceiling 15,500 ft (4727 m)
- Rate of climb: 890 ft/min (4.52 m/s)
- Wing loading: 11.0 lb/ft² (55.0 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 13.2 lb/hp (8.04 kg/kW)
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Cessna Aircraft (March 2008). Cessna SkyCatcher Prototype Completes First Flight. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ AvWeb Staff (October 16, 2006). Cessna LSA Flies. Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
- ^ Cessna Aircraft (July 2007). Cessna Announces Light Sport Aircraft Details. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- ^ Cessna Aircraft (May 2008). First Production Cessna SkyCatcher Completes First Flight. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avweb (August 2006). Cessna LSA: Under $100K, Or Not At All?. Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
- ^ Cessna Aircraft (July 22, 2007). Cessna Announces Light Sport Aircraft Details. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ Cessna Aircraft (August 09, 2007). Cessna SkyCatcher Light Sport Aircraft Orders Top $75 Million. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ Niles, Russ F. (November 2007). Cessna To Build Skycatcher Overseas. Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
- ^ Textron (November 2007). Cessna Chooses China's Shenyang Aircraft Corporation as Manufacturing Partner for Model 162 SkyCatcher. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
- ^ Russ Niles (November 27, 2007). Skycatcher To Be Made in China. Retrieved on 2007-11-29.
- ^ Aniello, Tom (December 2007). Making the case for building the SkyCatcher in China (entire website since deleted). Retrieved on 2008-01-03.
- ^ AvWeb Staff (August 2006). Cessna Looks To Homebuilts For LSA Ideas. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- ^ a b The Cessna 162 SkyCatcher. Cessna.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-21.
- ^ Mary Grady (October 9, 2007). Cessna To Offer BRS Parachutes In Skycatcher, All Piston Singles. Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
- ^ McClellan, J Mac: Flying Magazine October 2007, page 50.
- Model 162 Skycatcher Specification & Description
- Cessna news release announcing product launch - accessed July 10, 2007
- AvWeb article quoting Jack Pelton on cost targets - accessed 17 Aug 2006
- AvWeb article on match-hole drilling - accessed 17 Aug 2006
- AOPA report on Sun 'n Fun 2007 - accessed 18 Apr 2007
- AvWeb first flight announcement
- Cessna Pilots Association News article including photos
- Poberezny gets to preview Cessna LSA, NGP
- Cessna photograph of the LSA's first flight
- Cessna Announces Light Sport Aircraft Details accessed 22 July 2007
[edit] External links
- SkyCatcher home page
- EAA's coverage of the aircraft's unveiling
- Cessna press release announcing the LSA
- Cessna press release about the first flight
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
