One of the U.S.’s leading aviation gear dealers says he’s been told the long-awaited next-generation Cessna single will be unveiled at AOPA Expo in Palm Springs next November. Hal Shevers, of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, told AVweb that Cessna “announced” the unveiling recently but it’s not clear to whom that announcement was made. Messages left with the Cessna communications department were not immediately returned. Shevers made the comment as part of a wide-ranging in-depth podcast interview that you can hear in its entirety on Friday. Shevers, who’s never one to pull punches on aviation topics, has plenty to say about the TSA, the FAA, user fees and the fizzle he thinks the very light jet market will be. The existence of a development program for a new Cessna single came to light last year about this time and since then the aviation press has been buzzing about what it will be. The consensus seems to be a straight-leg, strutless, high-wing six-passenger airplane with 350 horsepower and, of course, a fully electronic panel. We’re also not sure whether the AOPA Expo display will be a mockup or a prototype. Tune in tomorrow for more via AVweb‘s podcast. AVweb podcasts are free. Find the podcast index on our homepage, or subscribe to receive them automatically.
