Cessna Sticking by SkyCatcher
James E. Swickard james_swickard@aviationweek.com 
Cessna Aircraft stated today that it is fully committed to the Model 162 SkyCatcher program despite the loss of both flight test aircraft during in-flight mishaps. The planemaker launched the light sport aircraft program in 2007.
"The SkyCatcher program is an important part of our strategy," said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton. "The need for a modern, cost-effective two-seat trainer aircraft has never been greater, and we believe we are well positioned to meet that need."
"We are making every effort to minimize the impact on deliveries to our customers," he said.
The SkyCatcher is fitted with two-seats and is powered by a 100-hp Continental O-200 engine.
In the most recent incident on March 19, Pelton said the two-place aircraft was undergoing a very aggressive spin test regime - power on and cross-controlled - when it entered a spin that was not immediately recoverable. This spin test was one of more than 500 flown to date using various combinations of center-of-gravity positions, power settings, flap settings and control inputs. The pilot deployed the airframe parachute in accordance with the flight test procedure and emerged from the aircraft unhurt after it touched down. Last September, an earlier test aircraft was destroyed when the pilot parachuted to safety after being unable to recover during aggressive spin testing.
"We test all our aircraft well beyond the limits of what is expected in normal operation. By the time a Cessna aircraft enters service we have the highest degree of confidence in the design, flight characteristics, manufacture and quality of the aircraft," Pelton said, adding that company engineers have obtained valuable data on the crashworthiness of the aircraft and the operation of the Ballistic Recovery System airframe parachute as a result of the two incidents. The BRS is an option on the SkyCatcher.
Cessna has produced more than 192,000 aircraft over the past 82 years. The classic 150/152 and 172 models have been widely used for flight training for decades.
Photo credit: Cessna
