First Production Cessna Skycatcher Takes Flight

Last Thursday, the first production version of Cessna's Model 162 Skycatcher flew for the first time. The Skycatcher factory is located in Shenyang, China, and that's where the flight took place. Cessna partnered with Shenyang Aircraft Company to produce the Skycatcher. The two-place, high-wing single is Cessna's entry in the FAA's five-year-old light sport aircraft (LSA) category. With more than 1,000 orders placed, the Skycatcher is powered by a 100-hp Continental O-200D engine and incorporates avionics from the Garmin G300 series. The Skycatcher will come equipped for day and night VFR flight, with a planned range of 470 nautical miles and a cruising speed of 118 knots.