14 October 2006
Cessna have announced the first flight of their Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). The airplane took off at 8:33 am yesterday (Friday 13th October) and performed a variety of flight manoeuvres at speeds in excess of 110 knots (127 miles per hour). The prototype landed just over half an hour later at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport.
“It’s been nine months to the day since I gave the team the go-ahead to build an LSA concept aircraft,” said Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack J. Pelton. “As the world’s largest producer of single engine piston airplanes, 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. I extend my congratulations to the team in getting the LSA airborne so quickly so we can further evaluate this promising concept.”
In the United States the new LSA 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).
Pelton said the company will “evaluate a spectrum of issues associated with entering the sector to determine if there is a favourable business case.” That decision is expected to be made in the first quarter of 2007.”
Cessna’s LSA proof-of-concept features a high wing spanning 30 feet, side-by-side seating in a cabin with a maximum width of 48 inches (that’s six inches wider than a C152), tricycle gear, and a 100-hp Rotax 912S engine. It incorporates dual control sticks, upward opening doors, toe brakes, and a castering nose wheel. Construction is primarily of aluminium, with selective use of composite parts for the cowl, wing and dorsal fin.
