CESSNA:
LEARNING CHINA, RAMPING UP THE SKYCATCHER
As the U.S. Sport
Aviation Expo opened in Sebring, Florida on Thursday, Cessna was out in
force with a 162 Skycatcher display and encouraging news that the
company is ramping up to deliver at least 150 airplanes this year,
against a firm order book of 1,000. In this podcast, Cessna's Bob
Stangarone reports that the vast majority of the airplanes are going
to flight schools, where reports from students and instructors appear to
be positive so far. Stangarone says snags in the production process in
China have been sorted out, and the company is expected to announce
higher production goals for 2012.
Click here to listen. (4.9 MB,
5:22)
BUSINESS
AS USUAL FOR PIPERSPORT/SPORTCRUISER
The aircraft formerly
known as the PiperSport will continue to delight its existing and future
owners, regardless of its nameplate, according to Don Ayres, CEO
of U.S. Sport Aircraft, the company that imports and assembles the
airplane in the U.S. He spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles on the eve
of U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida Wednesday.
Click here to listen. (4.0 MB,
4:21)
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PIPERSPORT
JUST A NAME: DISTRIBUTOR
Regardless of its name, the
soon-to-be-former PiperSport will continue to be a part of the LSA
market according to the head of the company that brings them into the
U.S. Piper announced earlier this week that it was dropping the
PiperSport, citing a difference in business goals with its manufacturer,
Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW). Although Piper branded what used to the the
SportCruiser, the airplane will continue to be sold without Piper's
involvement. In an exclusive
podcast interview with AVweb on the eve of the U.S. Sport
Aviation Expo in Sebring, FL, U.S. Sport Aircraft CEO Don Ayres said
it's "business as usual" despite the parting of ways between Piper and
CZAW. "Aircraft will continue to be sold and supported," he said.
Piper's sudden departure a week before the biggest sport aviation
show in the U.S. will leave some awkward reminders for those attending
Sebring. The show aircraft are emblazoned with the Piper logo, as are
all the tents and promotional material at the booth. But Ayres is
unfazed. "Piper said they would continue to support us through Sebring
and for another 90 days," he said. As the PiperSport, 45 aircraft were
sold but Ayres said he's not concerned about the name brand departure.
"I've sold five airplanes since the announcement," he said. Piper and
CZAW are expected to make a joint statement at Sebring but Ayres said he
doesn't expect them to say anything different from what has been
publicly released.
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VIDEO:
ICUB — AN AIRPLANE WRAPPED AROUND AN IPAD (PLUS AN
IPHONE)
If there aren't enough iWidgets in your life, here's
one more: the iCub. It's basically a Cub clone LSA built around the
network and display capabilities of an iPad and an iPhone. The iPad
serves as the airplane's main navigation device, plus it also receives
and tracks data from the Rotax 912 engine. At the U.S. Sport Aviation
Expo in Sebring, AVweb talked with the company's Bill
Canino, and this brief video offers a tour of the airplane.
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SEBRING
PHOTO GALLERY ONE:
U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO 2011
The U.S.
Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida hasn't gotten underway yet
— but that didn't stop us from prowling the grounds and snapping a
few photos of the LSA vendors moving into their booths and setting up
displays.
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