22 October 2013
Speaking at the NBAA Convention in Las Vegas, Cessna CEO Scott Ernest made a brief statement that there is “no future for the Skycatcher,” signalling that Cessna is likely to abandon its entry-level two-seater.
The Skycatcher has been manufactured in China and reassembled in the USA but Yingling Aircraft of Wichita, which has been carrying out the completions, has ceased work on the aircraft. It is understood there is a stock of airframes at Cessna’s Independence, Kansas plant and these are still available to meet any remaining orders.
A review of the registration records by FLYER suggests that total Skycatcher production is 300 airframes of which 67 are awaiting assembly and 13 have airworthiness certificates and are available to fulfil new sales.
The majority of Skycatchers (197) have been sold in the USA but 14 have gone to Australia, four to New Zealand and others to Pakistan, Germany and Korea.
Earlier this year, Jodi Noah, Cessna’s Senior Vice President, Single Engine/Propeller Aircraft told FLYER that it was “unlikely” that we’ll be seeing the Cessna Skycatcher available on the European market. Since few sales of Skycatchers have been received in the past year it seems very possible that the programme will be terminated.
Rod Simpson
