14 June 2011
Following many months of media hype, the Cessna Skycatcher made its first European appearance at the Cannes Aviation Show on 10 June – and it did not disappoint, reports Rod Simpson. The Skycatcher is easy to enter, with big doors, comfortable seats and a large rear baggage area. The control stick may seems a little unfamiliar – but it is the product of some intelligent Cessna engineering and it comes to hand naturally within seconds. We are now in the realm of glass cockpits, so the Garmin G300 screens in front of each pilot tell a modern story and the Skycatcher is a robustly-built two seater which will suit both students and private owners. With a Euro price of €112,250 the Cessna 162 has already captured over 1,000 orders, 350 of which are from Europe, predominantly from France and Germany. According to the French agents, Aeromecanic, 90% of orders are from flying schools and clubs with half of the orders for fleet quantities of a dozen or more aircraft. The aircraft on show was a demonstrator, but the first unit for delivery will be No.145, arriving in August. Initially, the Skycatcher will be available for private use, but will not be cleared for training, due to the confusion in certification rules, but Cessna confidently expects it the new EASA regulations to be in place by early 2012.
The first Skycatcher in the UK is due to be delivered to Patriot Aviation. Patriot will be holding an open house event at Coventry Airport on the 13 August to introduce the Skycatcher as well as carrying out demonstration flights throughout the UK.
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