Cessna's new LSA: "Skycatcher"

I think people complaining that the Cessna LSA isn't competetive in terms of useful load are missing something.
They've obviously targeted the training market and as such probably have ruggedized the airframe and systems
to withstand the abuse of legions of students learning to aviate. It's not a weekend toy to be babied by a private
owner like most of the other LSAs but a machine to train pilots and make money for the training operators while doing it.

That being said they could've come up with a better name. Just calling it the 162 would've been better.

"miffich" wrote in message
...
I think people complaining that the Cessna LSA isn't competetive in terms of
useful load are missing something.

I was sort of hoping that (what?) 50 years of aviation technology advances
had bought us something.

I happen to have a POH for a 1978 152. It has a maximum useful load of 589
pounds compared to the 162's 490 pounds. I fly that 152 all the time and I can
tell you that its useful load is margional for training today's "supersized"
pilots. The 162 gives up 99 pounds compared to that 152. This is serious
stuff!.

They've obviously targeted the training market and as such probably have
ruggedized the airframe and systems
to withstand the abuse of legions of students learning to aviate.

Do we really know if the above is true or just wishfull thinking? In fact, is
it a trainer at all? I could have missed something, but the brochure didn't
mention training once. It it beng marketed to FBO's as a trainer?

It's not a weekend toy to be babied by a private
owner like most of the other LSAs but a machine to train pilots and make money
for the training operators while doing it.

Really? It being marketed as a personal airplane. Cessna's add copy
says,"very personal", and "This time it is personal".


That being said they could've come up with a better name. Just calling it the
162 would've been better.

I agree, and I predict that is what it will be known as.

Regardless of what I have said above, when my FBO gets one, you can be sure
that I will be in line to check out in it. After that, I may (or may not) go
back and rent my favorite old 152.

Vaughn