Pictures: Cessna flies its new Sport - the next big, small thing?

[Guest Glenn]

It looks just like a Jabiru. What do you think?

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/20 ... small.html

 

 

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Not a bad little aircraft. When is it due to be flying with operators and private pilots?

 

 

[Guest VH-TJT]

I think it looks awesome, I love the fast back fuselage. Looks like a modern 1959 Cessna 150 but probably performs a lot better. I just hope they are affordable?

 

 

 

TJT

 

 

[Guest WillMikoyan]

"Jabaru" was my instant thought as well. Still it looks pretty cool, i wouldn't mind flying it, as long as there is the option of a diesel engine, I'd consider buying one.

 

 

[Uncle Chop Chop]

I wonder what the cockpit looks like?

 

Convetional Dials or Computer Screens?

 

 

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Source- http://cessna.com/news/article.chtml?ID ... &year=2006

 

Oshkosh, Wis., July 24, 2006 ? Cessna Aircraft Company, a unit of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), today revealed a proof of concept aircraft that it will use to help determine whether the company will enter into the popular Light Sport Aircraft sector. The unveiling took place here this morning as thousands of aviation enthusiasts and professionals gathered for the Experimental Aircraft Association?s annual event known as AirVenture 2006.

 

Last month, Cessna announced it was studying the feasibility of developing and producing a Light Sport Aircraft. Over the next several months, the company will evaluate a range of issues to determine if there is a favorable business case.

 

?More people have learned to fly in Cessnas than all other aircraft combined,? said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton. ?As the largest producer of single engine piston airplanes in the world, we believe we are well positioned to bring unique capabilities to the LSA market. Considering our sales, distribution, training and support networks, it appears this could be a logical extension of our product line. But more importantly, we believe that Light Sport Aircraft may be the key to stimulating new pilot starts, re-energizing our industry and feeding the important pipeline of human talent which is so important to all of us,? he said.

 

?I do want to make clear, however, that we have yet to make the decision to enter the LSA sector. We will be assessing the market and the business case over the next few months and plan to make a go/no go decision in the first quarter of next year,? Pelton said.

 

The newly-emerging Light Sport Aircraft category is the highest growth sector of general aviation. Light Sport Aircraft are defined as having a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds, maximum level-flight speed of 120 knots, and no more than two seats.

 

The proof-of-concept aircraft Cessna unveiled today features a high wing spanning 30 feet, side-by-side seating for two in a cabin with a maximum width of 48 inches (a half-foot more than the ubiquitous Cessna 152), tricycle gear, and a 100-hp Rotax 912 engine.

 

Cessna?s sport aircraft incorporates dual control sticks, upward opening doors, toe brakes, and a castering nose wheel. Construction is primarily of aluminum, with selective use of composite parts for the cowl, wing and dorsal fin.

 

Pelton said first flight of the aircraft is planned for later this year.

 

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2005, Cessna delivered 1,157 aircraft and reported revenues of about $3.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 187,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 4,500 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at http://www.cessna.com.

 

Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees in continuing operations. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at http://www.textron.com.

 

Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this report and other oral and written statements made by Textron from time to time are forward-looking statements, including those that discuss strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; or project revenues, income, returns or other financial measures. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including the following:

 

[a] changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact interest and foreign exchange rates;

 

the interruption of production at Textron facilities or Textron?s customers or suppliers;

 

 

 

[c] Textron's ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government;

 

 

 

[d] the U.S. Government's ability to unilaterally modify or terminate its contracts with Textron for the Government's convenience or for Textron's failure to perform, to change applicable procurement and accounting policies, and, under certain circumstances, to suspend or debar Textron as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards;

 

 

 

[e] changes in national or international funding priorities and government policies on the export and import of military and commercial products;

 

 

 

[f] the adequacy of cost estimates for various customer care programs including servicing warranties;

 

 

 

[g] the ability to control costs and successful implementation of various cost reduction programs;

 

 

 

[h] the timing of certifications of new aircraft products;

 

 

 

the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which Textron products are sold or supplied or where Textron Financial offers financing;

 

 

 

[j] changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders;

 

 

 

[k] the impact of changes in tax legislation;

 

 

 

[l] the extent to which Textron is able to pass raw material price increases through to customers or offset such price increases by reducing other costs;

 

 

 

[m]Textron?s ability to offset, through cost reductions, pricing pressure brought by original equipment manufacturer customers;

 

 

 

[n] Textron's ability to realize full value of receivables and investments in securities;

 

 

 

[o] the availability and cost of insurance;

 

 

 

[p] increases in pension expenses related to lower than expected asset performance or changes in discount rates;

 

 

 

[q] Textron Financial?s ability to maintain portfolio credit quality;

 

 

 

[r] Textron Financial?s access to debt financing at competitive rates;

 

 

 

uncertainty in estimating contingent liabilities and establishing reserves to address such contingencies;

 

 

 

[t] performance of acquisitions;

 

 

 

the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products;

 

 

 

[v] bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers or customers that could cause disruptions in Textron?s supply chain or difficulty in collecting amounts owed by such customers; and

 

 

 

[w] Textron?s ability to execute planned dispositions.