Cessna buys Columbia?

[John[_9_]]

I see on AvWeb that Cessna is, at least, in talks to buy some or all
of Columbia Aircraft. Otherwise Columbia is filing for Chapter 11
bankruptcy. (Is that round #2 of Chap. 11?) Apparently Cessna will
accept product liability for the aircraft built so far and some of
Columbia's debt.

I wonder what that will do to the Next Generation Cessna? Why would
Cessna need the Columbia series if they were going to make a "Cirrus
Killer" anyway?

What will that do to Columbia? Will the name survive or will it be
rebranded with the Cessna logo? Cessna seems to do most everything
right these days so maybe customer service, parts availability would
improve?

John Dupre'

[Kobra]

>I see on AvWeb that Cessna is, at least, in talks to buy some or all
> of Columbia Aircraft. Otherwise Columbia is filing for Chapter 11
> bankruptcy. (Is that round #2 of Chap. 11?) Apparently Cessna will
> accept product liability for the aircraft built so far and some of
> Columbia's debt.
>
> I wonder what that will do to the Next Generation Cessna? Why would
> Cessna need the Columbia series if they were going to make a "Cirrus
> Killer" anyway?
>
> What will that do to Columbia? Will the name survive or will it be
> rebranded with the Cessna logo? Cessna seems to do most everything
> right these days so maybe customer service, parts availability would
> improve?
>
> John Dupre'
>

John,

I bet Cessna did all the research on the Next Gen high-performance plane
they were considering. Most likely they found out that for the money
involved it certificating it, the eventual selling price, the profit they
would receive per unit, the feedback we gave them and it's performance
relative it's competition out there, it was cheaper to acquire an already
certificated, high-performance, good-looking aircraft.

All the Columbia needs is a big, reputable name behind it with some money.
Sounds like a win-win situation to me. I'll take the turbo-charged Cessna
Columbia 400!

Kobra

[Matt Whiting]

John wrote:
> I see on AvWeb that Cessna is, at least, in talks to buy some or all
> of Columbia Aircraft. Otherwise Columbia is filing for Chapter 11
> bankruptcy. (Is that round #2 of Chap. 11?) Apparently Cessna will
> accept product liability for the aircraft built so far and some of
> Columbia's debt.
>
> I wonder what that will do to the Next Generation Cessna? Why would
> Cessna need the Columbia series if they were going to make a "Cirrus
> Killer" anyway?

To provide instant experience with composites for light airplanes,
maybe? And maybe manufacturing space that costs less than building new.

Matt