| July 26 , 2006 | |
| Cessna Unveils Light Sport Proof-of-Concept Aircraft | |
 Cessna’s artist’s rendering of the proposed Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). Photo compliments of Cessna Aircraft Company. |
Cessna Aircraft Company, a unit of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), revealed its “proof-of-concept” aircraft the first morning of the 2006 EAA AirVenture, July 24. It will use the six-day event to hand out a potential 25,000 survey cards to attendees to help determine whether the company will enter the popular Light Sport Aircraft sector. Cessna announced in June 2006 that it was studying the feasibility of developing and producing a Light Sport Aircraft. Over the next several months the company will reportedly evaluate a range of issues to determine if there is a favorable business case for producing the plane. |
At a lengthy press conference later in the day, Pelton indicated that the prototype airplane unveiled at the show was produced in 10 weeks. “And we are evaluating whether we can produce the LSA at a profit level that includes reasonable production rates,” Pelton said.
The surveys distributed to show attendees contained about 25 questions asking for opinions on a broad range of aspects of the prototype shown. One of the questions asked respondents to indicate how much they would pay for the plane.
“More people have learned to fly in Cessnas than all other aircraft combined,” Pelton said. “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.
Privately, there is considerable speculation that the company has actually made the decision to produce the airplane in commercial quantities. Pelton believes the plane will fill an important need for an economical trainer, both here and abroad.
Pelton gave a further peak into the corporate thought process when he acknowledged that various components would undoubtedly be produced outside the U.S.
The newly-emerging Light Sport Aircraft category is the highest growth sector of general aviation. Cessna’s entry would be the 36th or 37th announced supplier for the new market, depending on who’s counting. 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.
Cessna’s LSA proof-of-concept aircraft features a high wing spanning 30 feet, side-by-side seating for two in a cabin with a maximum width of 48 inches (one-half foot more than the Cessna 152), tricycle gear, and a 100-hp Rotax 912 engine.
As currently configured, the Cessna 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. When questioned in the afternoon, Pelton revealed that aluminum would probably emerge as the primary construction material if and when the aircraft came to market. He also admitted that it would be capable of having a parachute mounted in it.
When asked whether there would be several options offered, Pelton indicated that “our plan right now is to offer a basic model that will allow us to sell the airplane at the lowest possible price.”
Pelton said the first flight of the aircraft is planned for late August or early September this year. While the target date for the go / no-go decision is the first quarter of 2007, “I would personally love to make it sooner,” he said.
In a side note, Pelton called Cessna a $4 billion company. That characterization was based on a 2006 second quarter just completed that generated, for the first time, $1 billion in revenue for the company.
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 www.cessna.com.
 Hundreds gathered on EAA’s opening day to see the LSA unveiled. Cessna believes its reputation and parts and service network will leap-frog it over several of the more than 30 competitors that have already announced plans to serve this market. David Kowalski photo. |
 Cessna president Jack Pelton hopes that customers who buy one of Cessna’s smaller planes continue to trade up to larger models as their pilot careers advance. David Kowalski photo. |
 Long and lean with plenty of wing loading, the proposed LSA will be made primarily of aluminum and have the capability of accepting a parachute. David Kowalski photo. |
 When viewed from the front, the LSA shows its classic Cessna heritage and is clearly aimed at the trainer market and generating new pilot starts. David Kowalski photo. |