Aero-TV: The Cessna Skycatcher - Testing the Aircraft Across Country

Test Pilot Kirby Ortega Discusses the Advantages of Cessna's New LSA

At the 2009 AOPA Summit, attendees experienced an up-close encounter with Cessnas newest aircraft to enter the LSA market. Since the announcement of the 162 Skycatcher program in 2007, Cessna has received over 1,000 orders. A two-place, single-engine piston, high-wing aircraft, the Skycatcher is a strong contender in the training market. Powered by the Continental O-200D 100-hp engine, the 162 Skycatcher weighs in at an extremely light 830 pounds empty weight, 280 pounds less than the 150. As a result, the aircraft features a cruise speed up to 118 knots and a maximum range of 470 nautical miles.

After departing from San Diego's King Schools, where the first production-conforming Skycatcher had been stationed during the development of Cessna's pilot training curriculum, Chief Test Pilot Kirby Ortega flew the aircraft to Tampa, Florida. The three-day journey allowed Ortega to become more familiar with the aircraft's handling and features, including the all-new Garmin G300 avionics system. With the increase in situational awareness and decrease in heads-down time, the G300 provides a great educational advantage for both students and instructors alike.

The 162 arrived at the AOPA Summit as part of Cessna's demonstration of its new Internet-based flight training software, available through Cessna's Pilot Center network and developed in conjunction with Kings Schools. The web-training program, coupled with the Skycatcher, represents Cessna's effort to offer a complete flight-training package for new students as the company makes its first 162 deliveries. On December 18, 2009, Rose Pelton, wife of Cessna CEO, Jack Pelton, took delivery of the very first Model 162 Skycatcher.

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[cincy331]

How do these handle in cross-winds. Any different from a 172? Considering how light this plane is, I would wonder if winds push it around more.

[aerotvnetwork]

@cincy331 Good question -- and despite the lighter nature of the bird, I found it's crosswind capabilities to be pretty solid. It has a really powerful rudder and authoritative roll -- so countering significant crosswinds are within its capabilities, with the right technique.

[CRFbadass]

Whats a full tank cost on one of those?

[Jacobdead]

@mumbledog yea, thats if you constantly drive with no stops. they probably only flew a few hours for each leg. Flying non-stop (only stopping to refuel) would have probably take 10 hours.

[Zumbawithcindy]

Cessna has really hit it out of the park with the 162 - Its cute as a bugs earm and you avoid the C152 smoosh - they really widened out the cockpit - what a joy!

[Alexvideoclip]

I want one !

:o)

[devildrummerjack]

@mumbledog Yeah but then add on fuel stops, and sleeping and traffic and toilet breaks e.c.t Then there wouldnt be a big difference. Also a plane is a lot safer. Google maps doesnt include any time for traffic e.c.t

[mumbledog]

3.5 Days to get from San Diego, CA to Tampa, FL? In an Airplane? According to Google maps, you can drive it in 1 day, 15 hours.

[JetMechMA]

Wait a minute.....made in China? You just lost me. You want to sell it here, make it here. Sell Skycatchers in China.

[Jamesfromnyc]

I fly a CTSW, 600lb useful load, crusies at about 120 @ 5 gph and hold 34 galllons on gas, very similar to remos...