Manufacturer takes major step with its initial offering for fledgling market
The prototype Cessna Sport flew for the first time on 13 October for 22min, taking the world's largest general aviation manufacturer one step closer to becoming the biggest name in the new field of light sport aircraft (LSA).
"It's been nine months to the day since I gave the team the go-ahead to build an LSA concept aircraft," says Cessna chief executive Jack Pelton. "It's a testament to the experience and engineering ability of the Cessna team that we were able to make this happen in such a short timeframe."
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Cessna will decide early in 2007 whether to launch production of the Sport |
A 100hp (75kW) Rotax 912S powered the flight and was in the hollow proof-of-concept when it was revealed in July at the AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Pelton says Cessna will look at both the market and the aircraft in early 2007 and decide whether to launch production. The two-year-old rules allow pilots to fly after 20h of training and no medical exam beyond possessing a driver's licence. Two-seat LSAs may only fly during the day, with a maximum gross weight of 600kg (1,320lb) and speed of 120kt (220km/h). The prototype exceeded 110kt during the flight from McDonnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas to the city's Mid-Continent airport.
Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association president Tom Gunderson says Cessna's entry would bring credibility to the LSA sector, but could push some manufacturers out as the industry races to meet demand. "As of 30 September, there were 459 certificated LSAs, meaning they had an airworthiness certificate," he says.
Source: Flight International
