Cessna made good on its plans to become a major contributor to Light Sport Aircraft market with their first Model 162 Skycatcher, delivered following Cessna’s incessant determination that the aircraft has demonstrated compliance with ASTM standards. The anxiously awaited Skycatcher was delivered to none other than Rose Pelton, wife of Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton, in Wichita, KS, home of Yingling Aircraft.

Yingling is one of three U.S. facilities that will reassemble the Skycatchers, produced by Shenyang Aircraft Company (SAC) in Shenyang, China. SAC builds the Skycatchers, integrates the engines and avionics, and then ships the aircraft to the U.S. for reassembly.

After announcing plans to enter the LSA market with the Model 162 Skycatcher two-place, single-engine piston, high-wing aircraft during the AirVenture Oshkosh in 2007, has since accumulated more than 1,000 orders for the aircraft, which was priced at $111,500.

Designed to fit within the LSA category, the Skycatcher must have a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds or less and a top speed of no more than 120 knots. Powered by the Continental O-200D 100-horsepower, air-cooled engine and a fixed-pitch propeller, the aircraft will cruise at speeds of up to 118 knots and have a 470-nautical-mile range. In addition, the aircraft is equipped with Garmin G300 avionics, and includes a single, split-screen primary flight display with a multifunction display, or two full-screen displays. Cessna said the aircraft would be capable of Visual Flight Rules/Day/Night operations.