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Cessna eyes sport plane market
Cessna officials say a smaller, lighter, two-seat aircraft would entice new pilots.
BY MOLLY MCMILLIN
The Wichita Eagle
Cessna Aircraft is studying the feasibility of designing and building a light sport aircraft, the company said Tuesday.
Cessna plans to unveil a full scale "proof-of-concept" aircraft next month at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual convention, AirVenture, in Oshkosh, Wis.
The newly emerging light sport aircraft category is the biggest growth sector in general aviation, the company said.
Light sport aircraft is defined as "simple low-performance aircraft" limited to a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds, a single reciprocating engine, a maximum top speed of 138 mph, a fixed-pitch propeller, a fixed landing gear and no more than two seats.
Cessna's sales and service network and its design and manufacturing experience "could make this an attractive extension of our product line," Jack Pelton, Cessna's chairman, president and chief executive, said in a statement.
Light sport aircraft could introduce new pilots to Cessna.
"We believe this new category of aircraft could provide a conduit for new pilots to grow through the Cessna product line in the years ahead," Pelton said in the statement.
During the next several months, Cessna will evaluate the issues associated with entering the market to determine whether there is a favorable business case, it said. As part of the evaluation process, Cessna will seek feedback from AirVenture attendees next month.
A decision will be made in early 2007.
In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration put into place sport-pilot and light-sport-aircraft regulations. The new rules included easier and less-expensive ways to become a pilot.
Cessna officials say a smaller, lighter, two-seat aircraft would entice new pilots.
BY MOLLY MCMILLIN
The Wichita Eagle
Cessna Aircraft is studying the feasibility of designing and building a light sport aircraft, the company said Tuesday.
Cessna plans to unveil a full scale "proof-of-concept" aircraft next month at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual convention, AirVenture, in Oshkosh, Wis.
The newly emerging light sport aircraft category is the biggest growth sector in general aviation, the company said.
Light sport aircraft is defined as "simple low-performance aircraft" limited to a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds, a single reciprocating engine, a maximum top speed of 138 mph, a fixed-pitch propeller, a fixed landing gear and no more than two seats.
Cessna's sales and service network and its design and manufacturing experience "could make this an attractive extension of our product line," Jack Pelton, Cessna's chairman, president and chief executive, said in a statement.
Light sport aircraft could introduce new pilots to Cessna.
"We believe this new category of aircraft could provide a conduit for new pilots to grow through the Cessna product line in the years ahead," Pelton said in the statement.
During the next several months, Cessna will evaluate the issues associated with entering the market to determine whether there is a favorable business case, it said. As part of the evaluation process, Cessna will seek feedback from AirVenture attendees next month.
A decision will be made in early 2007.
In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration put into place sport-pilot and light-sport-aircraft regulations. The new rules included easier and less-expensive ways to become a pilot.
