Cessna’s 162 SkyCatcher is making its production debut at AirVenture. The unveiling of the first production airplane comes a year after the program’s launch here last year.
“It came out of the paint shop just last week,” says a company spokesperson. And it comes complete with a production interior.
Since the launch, Cessna holds orders for more than 1,000 of the type and three airframes have been built for the development.
The prototype and the production aircraft have amassed more than 90hours for the ATSM approval, which is scheduled to be completed by year-end.
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Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is progressing with design of the production assembly and tooling. All assembly tool designs are complete, as is 30% of the assembly building. All detail tool designs to support fabrication are also complete and in process.
Cessna maintains a presence at the Shenyang facility with a team working in operations, quality, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain.
The SkyCatcher is priced at $111,500 in 2007 conditions and first deliveries are expected in the second half of 2009.
The 162 will cruise at 118kt and have a range of 470nm, with a Garmin G300 avionics system. The G300 displays information on a single split-screen PFD and MFD, or as two full-screen displays with an optional second screen.
It will have a take-off weight of 1,320lbs and a useful load of 490lbs. It has a cabin width at shoulder height of more than 44in, equaling that of the much-larger, six-place Cessna 206 Stationair. It also features two top-hinged cabin entry doors and forward pivoting seats, giving access to a baggage compartment.
Source: Flight International
