July 27, 2008 First Production Skycatcher At AirVenture

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by	Russ Niles
	Editor-in-Chief

Cessna's Skycatcher has been a fixture at various air shows since its introduction two years ago at AirVenture but those attending this year's EAA AirVenture get to see the real thing. The first production model of the aircraft, complete with the standard interior, final panel configuration and factory paint job (which is quite conservative compared to the paint treatment on the proof of concept plane).

Some historical perspective on Cessna's long history in the training aircraft business will be there in the form of a restored Cessna 150 that the University of North Dakota refurbished in honor of the 40th anniversary of its aviation training program. The Skycatcher on display is the second of three aircraft, which are now undergoing ASTM testing for compliance with Light Sport regulations. The Skycatcher is aimed directly at the training market and has a useful load of 490 lbs., of which up to about 144 lbs can be fuel.