Cessna Update On SkyCatcher Program

Cessna is showing off a bright purple mockup of its SkyCatcher LSA front and center at its exhibit, and the company reiterated this week that it intends to continue with the program despite the crashes of two test aircraft during spin testing. In the coming weeks, Cessna said, it will gather additional wind tunnel data, then combine that information with what it learned from the recent spin tests to refine the SkyCatcher configuration before flight testing is resumed. The design was tweaked after the first accident also, when Cessna increased the size of the tail. The company is scheduled to hold a forum about the SkyCatcher later this week, but is not expected to release any additional details about the test program. When the airplane crashed on March 19 it was undergoing a very aggressive spin test regime, power on and cross controlled, Cessna said. The aircraft was slightly damaged but is being repaired.

The spin test was one of more than 500 flown using various combinations of center-of-gravity positions, power settings, flap settings and control inputs. The company said it has committed to complete additional testing beyond what is required to certify the aircraft under ASTM light sport aircraft standards. Cessna has said they have more than 1,000 orders for the Skycatcher.