Cessna 162 Skycatcher Jump

[skydived19006 4]

I'm fairly sure that Mark Follin packed the emergency rig (Cessna has Butler rigs). Through connections we're making sure the test pilot knows that he owes beer!

Regardless, this guy gets the distinction of being the first to jump this aircraft.

Crash was about 10 miles from my DZ. Lots of concerned folks when they hear plane crash, pilot jumps, and the location is near the DZ.

Martin

Federal investigators are on their way to Douglass, Kansas to investigate the crash of a Cessna Skycatcher LSA prototype Thursday. The pilot of the test aircraft was able to parachute to safety and was reportedly taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Cessna media relations personnel were unable to immediately respond to AVweb's request for more detailed information, but KAKE Television is reporting the aircraft crashed into a treeline near the boundary of Butler and Cowley Counties. The television station is quoting witnesses as saying they heard a loud pop and then saw sparks and the plane spiraling down. The pilot landed in a field about 400 yards from the aircraft. The TV station quoted a Cessna spokesman as saying the crash aircraft had about 150 hours on it.

The prototype first flew on March 8, and Cessna is planning on delivering the first customer aircraft in the first half of 2009. What the crash does to that schedule is unclear. There are close to 1,000 orders for the aircraft, which will be built in China and reassembled in three plants in the U.S.

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ

[JohnRich 4]

Never heard of that plane before, so I looked it up:

http://se.cessna.com/skycatcher/

[skydived19006 4]

Yep, it's Cessna's new Light Sport, it's in the certification process. It will be manufactured in China, put in a container, and shipped over here, or elsewhere. There will be a handful of Cessna Service Centers in the US assembling them.

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ

[AggieDave 6]

So is it basically the new 152?

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[diablopilot 2]

Exactly.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[pilotdave 0]

Quote

So is it basically the new 152?

Kind of, but not at all.

Dave

[futuredivot 0]

That sucks-I had already made arrangements to jump one at one of the reassembly sites and the only reason was to be first

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[danielcroft 2]

You can still be the first sport parachutist.

You will still owe beer.

[skydived19006 4]

Quote

So is it basically the new 152?

Yes, in that it's a 2 seat high wing Cessna, other than that no.

This aircraft was designed specifically to meet the new Light Sport category. LSA has different pilot and medical requirements than a Private.

That said, as I understand the FAA is considering changing the weight number for LSA, and if so the Cessna 152 and others will qualify as well.

So, like Dave said, "Kind of, but not at all."

Martin

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ

[quade 4]

Quote

So is it basically the new 152?

I have thousands of hours in 152s, none of them ever looked like THAT!

http://se.cessna.com/pdf_specs/Exhibit_A_162_2008_RevB.pdf

Download the pdf and take a gander at the instrument panel!

The, uh, control yoke . . . lame.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

"...a two-person seating capacity including the pilot. Suitable allowance for luggage is provided aft of the seats."

Ah. So an enterprising DZO can squeeze in 5 jumpers. Cool!

[AggieDave 6]

5 jumpers or 10 midgets, its up to the DZO!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."