Cessna has a major presence here at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this week with an expanded exhibit in a new location and one-third extra space. On Monday, they issued an even dozen news releases with various updates on their products and the company, but no news conference was scheduled. The biggest news is that the SkyCatcher LSA is now in compliance with ASTM International standards and deliveries are expected to begin later this year. “This is significant not only for Cessna, but for the aviation community as a whole,” said Cessna CEO Jack Pelton in a news release. “Once these airplanes enter service, they will act as a catalyst for increased pilot starts. They will significantly change the economics of ownership and operation for flight schools, aircraft renters and aircraft owners, and will benefit the entire GA community.” Cessna says it has more than 1,000 orders for the SkyCatcher
In other news, Cessna said it has developed a new flight-training system in partnership with King Schools for sport pilots and private pilots; line flow for final assembly of the Corvalis high-performance single-engine piston aircraft is expected to start in Independence, Kan., by October; new optional service bulletins make available Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) on all earlier production G1000-equipped 172 Skyhawks, 182 Skylanes, 206 Stationairs and Citation Mustangs; and the IO-390-A1A6 Lycoming engine installation kit for the Cessna 177RG Cardinal is now available through its Cessna Parts Distribution group and its authorized service facilities.
