Cessna 162 Skycatcher

Cessna 162 Skycatcher
Production Cessna 162
Role Personal use and flight training aircraft
Manufacturer Cessna
First flight 13 October 2006 (concept aircraft)
8 March 2008 (conforming prototype)[1]
Status Production completed (2013)
Produced December 2009 – December 2013[2]
Number built 275 (December 2013)[3]
Unit cost
US$149,000[4]

The Cessna 162 Skycatcher is an American side-by-side two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, tricycle gear light-sport aircraft (LSA) that was designed and produced by Cessna between December 2009 and December 2013. It is the most recently introduced aircraft in the company's general aviation product line and the most recently canceled; its intended market was flight training and personal use.[5][6]

The Skycatcher received its ASTM LSA approval in July 2009.[7]

At one time 1200 of the aircraft had been ordered. In October 2013 Cessna CEO Scott Ernest stated that the Skycatcher had "no future"[8] and in late January 2014 Cessna told its dealers to stop offering the 162. On 11 February 2014, Cessna removed all marketing for the Skycatcher from their official website. A total of 192 aircraft were sold and the remaining 80 unsold aircraft will be used for parts.[9][10]

Development

N158CS, the proof-of-concept, on display at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006.

Cessna had announced its intentions to study the feasibility of developing and producing an LSA on 6 June 2006.[11] The concept design was unveiled on 24 July 2006 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh as the Cessna LSA (also referred to as the Cessna Sport), via a marketing study of the feasibility of producing an aircraft compliant with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's new Light-Sport Aircraft category.

On 13 October 2006, nine months after launching the program, the concept prototype aircraft, registered N158CS, first flew, departing McConnell Air Force Base for Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport and reaching a speed of 110 knots (200 km/h). Cessna formally launched the Skycatcher program 10 July 2007, following with a press event on 22 July 2007 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh [12] that unveiled a full-scale mockup and details about the planned production version.

The conforming prototype had its first flight on 8 March 2008[1] and the first initial production configuration aircraft flew on 5 May 2008.[13]

The company carried out testing of the aircraft beyond the ASTM Light Sport Aircraft requirements, including ground vibration testing and a full airframe fatigue test program on a production aircraft. In July 2009 Cessna announced that the 162 had completed flight testing to ASTM standards.[14][15]

On 9 August 2007 Cessna Aircraft announced that they had orders for 720 Skycatchers totaling US$75M.[16] By 24 November 2007 Cessna had 850 firm orders and by the end of 2008 the company had confirmed over 1,000 orders.[17][18] In July 2009, orders were still reported at "over 1,000." Cessna vice president of propeller aircraft sales John Doman said sales activity had been slow because customers did not want to wait approximately four years for a delivery slot.[15] In December 2009 the company delivered the first production Skycatcher to its initial customer, Cessna CEO Jack Pelton's wife, Rose Pelton. The company intended that the 2010 production rate would be 300 to 400 a year, but only 30 aircraft were delivered in 2010.[2][19][20] By late 2013 "droves" of position holders had canceled their orders due to price increases and failure of the design to meet expectations.[21]

In October 2013 at the National Business Aviation Association convention Cessna CEO Scott Ernest stated that the Cessna 162 had "no future". Cessna Vice President, Piston Aircraft, Jodi Noah, indicated that the aircraft is still in the company's line-up but that sales had not met expectations.[8][22]

In analyzing the imminent end of Skycatcher production Paul Bertorelli of AVweb indicated that the reasons for ending production were high price, poor useful load and lackluster flight performance compared to its LSA market competitors.[21]

Pricing

Cessna President and CEO Jack Pelton had originally indicated that Cessna was aiming for a price of under US$100,000 for the aircraft, which Pelton indicated would be a challenge to achieve. At that price point Pelton predicted that Cessna would be able to sell 600 of the aircraft per year.[23]

The 22 July 2007 announcement indicated that these price goals were not met. The first 1000 aircraft ordered were sold for US$109,500. The price was increased to US$111,500 in 2008 and US$112,250 in 2010.[12][24]

In November 2011 the company indicated that the price was being increased to US$149,000. Part of the price increase was due to the incorporation of optional features as standard, including the multi-function display, intercom and sun visors. About US$20,000 of the increase was to improve company profits on the aircraft. Russ Niles writing for AVweb noted "The new price puts the Skycatcher at the upper end of the market for LSAs".[4] The 30% price increase attracted aviation media attention. Paul Bertorelli writing for AVweb concluded "Only one thing mystifies me about this decision. Cessna is the only LSA manufacturer well established with manufacturing in China. If a company with Cessna's economy of scale and marketing acumen can't make an LSA more affordable by building it in China, the notion of low-cost aircraft may very well be the myth that many people think it is."[25]

The price increase to US$149,000 left the design priced well above its competition and also contractually allowed buyers who had deposits on the Cessna 162 to cancel their orders and claim refunds, which, by the end of 2013, large numbers of position holders did.[21]

Chinese production controversy

On 27 November 2007 Cessna announced that the Cessna 162 would be made in the People's Republic of China by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, a Chinese government-owned consortium of aircraft manufacturers.[6][26] By manufacturing the aircraft in China, Cessna reported that it saved US$71,000 in production costs per aircraft produced. A second reason cited for moving production to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation was that Cessna at that time had no plant capacity available in the USA.[27]

The decision to produce the aircraft in China was controversial and Cessna received a high degree of negative feedback from Cessna 162 customers and potential customers.[28][29]

The first production Cessna 162 had its initial flight at Shenyang Aircraft in China on 17 September 2009. Customer deliveries started in December 2009.[29][30]

European certification

In April 2012 the company was forced to refund deposits to a number of customers in Europe due to delays in gaining EASA certification. The 162 required both a type certificate and production certificate to be sold in Europe and at that point it had neither.[31]

In July 2012 the company announced its solution, that the design would be removed from the US light-sport category and moved to the primary aircraft category. Primary category acceptance would have included type and production certificates and would have allow the aircraft to be sold in Europe after the certification was validated.[32] Primary Category certification was never completed.

Design

Production Skycatcher number ten, assembled for Cessna by Yingling Aviation from parts supplied by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.
Cessna 162 Skycatcher number ten.

The Cessna 162's design has evolved considerably from the first prototype, including the wing position and tail configuration. The high-wing monoplane has fixed tricycle landing gear, with a castering nosewheel. The wingspan is 30 feet (9.14 m) and internal cabin width is 44 inches (1.12 m) at shoulder height. The doors are different from previous two-seat Cessna models in that they open by swinging upward. The controls are unusual for a Cessna in that they have single-hand panel-mounted yokes instead of the usual two-hand panel-mounted yokes.

The aircraft's structure is mostly aluminum with a fiberglass cowling. Cessna LSA Project head Neal Willford indicated in August 2006 that Cessna was investigating the use of "match hole drilling" to reduce costs and simplify construction of the design. This technique is widely used in the kit-plane industry and in construction of larger aircraft, but would be Cessna's first use in its single-engine line. On 9 October 2007 Cessna announced that a Ballistic Recovery Systems airframe ballistic parachute system would be a factory-installed option on the Cessna 162.[33][34]

While the initial proof-of-concept aircraft flew with a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912S engine, the production Cessna 162 is powered by a direct drive air-cooled, carbureted Continental O-200-D engine, producing 100 hp (75 kW) at 2,800 rpm and equipped with a two-blade, fixed pitch composite propeller. With the O-200D engine the Skycatcher is capable of cruise at speeds as high as 118 knots (136 mph/219 km/h), with a maximum range of 470 nautical miles (870 km) at a gross weight of 1,320 lb (599 kg).[5]

The Cessna 162 is equipped for day and night VFR flying only.[35] Production aircraft were delivered with a Garmin G300 EFIS installed, as well as a Garmin SL40 communications radio, a GTX327 transponder, and a 121.5 MHz ELT. Flight data is presented on the G300 in a single, split-screen combination primary flight display and multi-function display. Information can also be shown on two full-screen displays with installation of a second screen, which were purchase options. An autopilot and an audio panel were also available options.[36]

The Cessna 162 has a maximum gross take-off weight of 1,320 lb (599 kg) and a standard empty weight of 834 lb (378 kg). With a full fuel load of 144 lb (65 kg) the payload remaining for crew and baggage is 342 lb (155 kg). The standard empty weight does not include the fire extinguisher, ELT, wheel pants, engine primer, unusable fuel and many other items normally included. One typical early production aircraft has an equipped weight of 865 lb (392 kg), giving a full fuel payload of 311 lb (141 kg).[37][38]

Test flying crashes & redesigns

Cessna 162 in Embry Riddle Aeronautical University service.

First prototype crash

A non-conforming prototype Cessna 162, registered N162XP, crashed on 18 September 2008, in a treeline near Douglass, Kansas, approximately 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Wichita, Kansas. The test pilot parachuted to safety and suffered only minor injuries. The prototype had flown about 150 hours prior to the accident.[39][40]

The National Transportation Safety Board stated on 18 September 2008 that the Cessna 162 was registered in the experimental category and was conducting a test flight when the accident occurred. The test sequence involved a series of stalls starting at 10,000 feet (3,000 m). The aircraft entered an unintentional flat spin and was not under control at 5,000 feet (1,500 m), at which point the test pilot bailed out of the aircraft. Cessna confirmed that the 162 entered a spin from cross-controlled, power-on stall, that the spin became flat and recovery was not possible. The company indicated that the testing was outside that required for LSA certification and that the accident will result in only small design changes. The aircraft was equipped with a Ballistic Recovery Systems parachute, but it failed to deploy when activated.[41][42][43]<ref name)"Skycatcher to undergo small design changes" >Marsh, Alton (September 2008). "Skycatcher to undergo small design changes". Retrieved 2008-09-26. </ref>[44]

2008 redesign

Despite earlier claims that the design would undergo only small changes as a result of the crash of the prototype, in late 2008 the 162 received a redesigned vertical stabilizer. The new fin is of greater area and less sweep than the original. Cessna stated wind-tunnel testing of the new configuration showed that it now had no unrecoverable spin characteristics. The redesigned tail was first flown on N162CE, the first production-conforming aircraft, on 15 December 2008.[18][30]

Another focus of the design changes was weight savings, as a result the 162's seats were redesigned and the seat structure changed from composite to aluminum. With the new larger fin the dorsal fin was unneeded and was deleted from the design to save weight.[18][30]

Second prototype crash

N162CE was involved in an accident during a test flight on 19 March 2009 near Wichita, Kansas. During aggressive spin testing, with power on and in a cross-controlled condition, the aircraft entered a "rapid and disorienting spin" and the test pilot was unable to recover control of the aircraft. The test pilot successfully deployed the aircraft's ballistic recovery parachute, which stopped the spin, but, despite being designed to be jettisonable, could not be released from the aircraft. Since the aircraft was too low for a bail-out, the pilot remained with the aircraft, which crash-landed, sustaining damage to the landing gear, but leaving the pilot uninjured. The pilot exited the aircraft and attempted to remove the parachute, which remained attached to the aircraft. Wind then dragged the aircraft 0.6 mi (1.0 km) into a fence, leaving it inverted and heavily damaged. The accident left Cessna with no flying Skycatcher aircraft in the testing program.[45][46][47][48][49]

Following the crash of the second prototype, a company spokesman stated that all the details about the program's future were under review by the company.[50] On 25 March 2009 Cessna CEO Jack Pelton confirmed that the 162 program would continue, saying: "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. The Skycatcher program is an important part of our strategy."[49]

The final production 162 incorporated a thicker wing and further changes to the tail, including a ventral fin, to make the aircraft more resistant to spins.[19]

Production

In January 2010 the company announced that customer deliveries of production 162s would be delayed by six to ten months. The company indicated that most of the delay was due to modifications required to aircraft produced by Shenyang Aircraft as a result of further spin testing and the earlier crashes of the prototypes. The first production aircraft were delivered from China, assembled by Cessna contractor Yingling Aviation and then modified by adding the ventral fin and decreasing the elevator and aileron travel. In February 2012, the assembly of the plane was moved to Cessna's Independence, Kansas factory, ending Yingling's participation. Cessna planned to incorporate the airframe changes into the Chinese production line.[51][52]

Wing modifications of aircraft in service

In November 2012 Cessna issued a Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) as a result of cracks found on its cyclic test aircraft. The MSB requires addition of new wing ribs and modifications to the wing attachment structure for the first 228 Cessna 162s delivered. The modification was extensive and required 32 man-hours to complete and was required to be done within the next 100 flight hours or at the next annual inspection, whichever came first. Cessna paid to modify all aircraft involved.[53]

Specifications

Cessna 162 Skycatcher Instrument panel. This aircraft is a factory demonstrator and has the second optional EFIS display installed

Data from Flying Magazine[54] and Cessna.com[5]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1 2 Cessna Aircraft (March 2008). "Cessna Skycatcher Prototype Completes First Flight". Archived from the original on 2008-04-19. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
  2. 1 2 Pew, Glenn (December 2009). "Rose Pelton Takes First Skycatcher". Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  3. ↑ "FAA Registry – Aircraft – Make / Model Inquiry". Registry.faa.gov. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  4. 1 2 Niles, Russ (22 November 2011). "Skycatcher Price Climbs, Standard Features Added". AVweb. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Cessna (2009). "Overview – The stirring Skycatcher". Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  6. 1 2 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 34. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  7. ↑ Grady, Mary (July 2009). "Cessna News Update: ASTM Compliance For Skycatcher". Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  8. 1 2 Pew, Glenn (22 October 2013). ""No Future" For Cessna Skycatcher: CEO Scott Ernest". AVweb. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  9. ↑ Grady, Mary. "End Of The Road For Skycatcher?". Avweb. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
  10. ↑ Marsh, Alton K. "Skycatcher reaches inglorious end". AOPA. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
  11. ↑ AvWeb Staff (2006-10-16). "Cessna LSA Flies". Retrieved 2007-10-11.
  12. 1 2 Cessna Aircraft (July 2007). "Cessna Announces Light Sport Aircraft Details". Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  13. ↑ Cessna Aircraft (May 2008). "First Production Cessna Skycatcher Completes First Flight". Archived from the original on 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  14. ↑ Grady, Mary (January 2009). "Cessna Reports Progress On New Aircraft". Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  15. 1 2 Brendan, Sobie (2009-07-29). "Cessna to begin Skycatcher deliveries in 4Q". Retrieved 2009-10-30.
  16. ↑ Cessna Aircraft (2007-08-09). "Cessna Skycatcher Light Sport Aircraft Orders Top $75 Million". Archived from the original on 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
  17. ↑ Niles, Russ F. (November 2007). "Cessna To Build Skycatcher Overseas". Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  18. 1 2 3 Grady, Mary. (January 2009). "Cessna Revises Skycatcher Design". Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  19. 1 2 Bertorelli, Paul (November 2009). "Production Skycatcher Debuts at AOPA Summit; AVweb Flies It". Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  20. ↑ Niles, Russ (November 2009). "Cessna CEO's Wife Gets First Skycatcher". Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  21. 1 2 3 Bertorelli, Paul (3 December 2013). "Skycatcher's Demise: Barely a Ripple". AVweb. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  22. ↑ Pew, Glenn (22 October 2013). "Podcast: Cessna Update from NBAA". AVweb. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  23. ↑ Avweb (August 2006). "Cessna LSA: Under $100K, Or Not At All?". Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  24. ↑ Cessna (2009). "Pricing and Cost". Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  25. ↑ Bertorelli, Paul (27 November 2011). "Skycatcher's Big Price Hike". AVweb. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  26. ↑ Textron (November 2007). "Cessna Chooses China's Shenyang Aircraft Corporation as Manufacturing Partner for Model 162 Skycatcher". Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  27. ↑ Russ Niles (2007-11-27). "Skycatcher To Be Made in China". Retrieved 2007-11-29.
  28. ↑ Aniello, Tom (December 2007). "Making the case for building the Skycatcher in China (Archive copy as entire website since deleted)". Archived from the original on 2008-01-06. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  29. 1 2 Pew, Glenn (September 2009). "Production Cessna Skycatcher Flies (In China)". Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  30. 1 2 3 Marsh, Alton K (January 2009). "Cessna puts new tail on Skycatcher". Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  31. ↑ Grady, Mary (24 April 2012). "Skycatcher Sales On Hold In Europe". AVweb. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  32. ↑ Grady, Mary (22 July 2012). "Cessna Solves Skycatcher Problem". AVweb. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  33. ↑ AvWeb Staff (August 2006). "Cessna Looks To Homebuilts For LSA Ideas". Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  34. ↑ Mary Grady (2007-10-09). "Cessna To Offer BRS Parachutes In Skycatcher, All Piston Singles". Retrieved 2007-10-11.
  35. ↑ Cessna (November 2008). "Cessna Skycatcher on Track to Begin Deliveries in Second Half of 2009". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  36. ↑ Cessna Aircraft (2008). "Avionics". Retrieved 2008-09-28.
  37. ↑ Cessna (2009). "Skycatcher Weights". Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  38. ↑ Hunt, Adam (November 2010). "A First Look At The Cessna 162 Skycatcher". Canadian Owners and Pilots Association Flight 8. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  39. ↑ Niles, Russ (September 2008). "Skycatcher Prototype Crashes". AvWeb. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  40. ↑ Thompson, Cayle (September 2008). "Cessna Test Plane Crashes in SW Butler County". Kake. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  41. ↑ Niles, Russ (September 2008). "Skycatcher Was In 'Unrecoverable Spin'". AvWeb. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  42. ↑ Grady, Mary (September 2008). "Skycatcher Crash Update". AvWeb. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  43. ↑ Marsh, Alton K. (September 2008). "Skycatcher prototype crashes". Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  44. ↑ National Transportation Safety Board (September 2008). "NTSB Identification: DFW08FA234". Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  45. ↑ National Transportation Safety Board (March 2009). "NTSB Preliminary Report CEN09FA220". Archived from the original on 30 March 2000. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  46. ↑ Niles, Russ (March 2009). "Unrecoverable Spin Led To Skycatcher Loss". Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  47. ↑ March, Alton K (March 2009). "Skycatcher has second flight test crash". Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  48. ↑ Niles, Russ (March 2009). "Second Skycatcher Prototype Crashes". Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  49. 1 2 Grady, Mary (March 2009). "Cessna Commits To Continue Skycatcher Program". Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  50. ↑ Skycatcher future in doubt after second test flight crash, Flight global, Mar 20, 2009.
  51. ↑ Niles, Russ (January 2010). "Skycatcher Deliveries Delayed". Retrieved 2010-01-21.
  52. ↑ McMillin, Molly. "Cessna moves Skycatcher work from Wichita to Independence | Wichita Eagle". Kansas.com. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  53. ↑ Niles, Russ (11 November 2012). "Skycatcher Service Bulletin Issued". Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  54. ↑ McClellan, J. Mac: Flying Magazine, October 2007, page 50.
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