Tamzin Hindmarch
A French company has this year started selling new single-engined Cessna 172s, 182s and 206s to buyers in Europe. But for many leisure pilots this year's star of the show is the Cessna F150 Rénové.
Reims Aviation has for some time played a key role in the light aviation industry in France. It has worked in partnership with US-based Cessna for more than 20 years.
From its workshops in Reims-Prunay, it maintains, renovates and rebuilds a variety of models bearing the famous American trademark.
Restored to its former glory, an example of the Cessna 150 can be seen here at the Reims Aviation at Stand 45 in the Salon Du Bourget.
Between 1959 and 1986, more than 30,000 of these light aircraft were made by Cessna, whose design was copied by others.
Reims Aviation had built more than 2,400 under licence by the time production stopped in the mid-1980s.
To many people it is still remembered as the training aircraft par excellence. A popular choice for flying clubs, its reputation for reliability and ease of flying made it the learning machine for many young pilots.
Source: Flight Daily News
