Graham Warwick/Washington DC
Cessna and New Piper are studying options for new aircraft at the lighter end of their respective product ranges, fuelled by advances in propulsion and avionics technology.
Cessna is looking at three options for an aircraft to fill the gap between its piston singles and business jets. Piper, having just certificated the single-turboprop Malibu Meridian and with an upgraded Malibu Mirage high-performance piston single to enter production next year, plans to revamp its light aircraft range, from the Warrior trainer to the six-seat Seneca.
Acknowledging the gap between its biggest piston single, the 206 Stationair, and its smallest twinjet, the Citation CJ1, Cessna is studying a single turboprop, a "very light jet" and an aircraft with a "dual-pack" powerplant - two turboshafts driving a single propeller.
"We were reluctant to proceed until recently because there were no powerplants available," says Cessna chairman Gary Hay. "Now there are real engines: two from Williams and one from Pratt & Whitney Canada."
Cessna continues to be concerned about the field performance of a small jet, possibly favouring one of the turboprop options. "We are trying to determine the size of the market," says Hay. "It is early days. We may not do anything or we may launch a family."
Piper president Chuck Suma says the company's focus, "for the next year or two", is firmly on the lighter end of its product line, "from entry level through to the Seneca".
The company is "actively developing new platforms", based on its Cherokee range, incorporating aerodynamic refinements, new avionics and propulsion advances.
Both Cessna and Piper report strong orderbooks for their piston and turbine aircraft. Cessna's backlog at the end of September was 782 Citations, 335 singles and 50 single-turbine Caravans. Product-ion will increase to 1,100 singles and 310 Citations next year. Piper expects to sell 530 aircraft next year, up from 430 this year, and to produce 100 Meridians plus a substantial number of Mirages.
Source: Flight International
