Cessna’s New Light Sport Aircraft Mixes Proven Technology with Innovation

Oshkosh, Wis.– Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, brings a combination of experience and innovation to the Light Sport Aircraft market with the introduction of its new Model 162 SkyCatcher, launched today at the opening of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual week-long conference – AirVenture 2007.

“We set out to develop an aircraft worthy of the Cessna name,” said Jack J. Pelton, Cessna chairman, president and CEO. “We have had more voice-of-the-customer input into the design of this aircraft than anything we’ve done in the past, and that has led to some very innovative features such as the uniquely designed dual control sticks.”

The control stick design provides straight stick functionality and feel, while allowing easy access to pilot and co-pilot seats. It is the first control stick airplane designed by Cessna since the Model 188 in 1965.

Other features incorporated in the Cessna LSA include electric elevator trim and mechanical flaps. Cessna also opted for a fixed-seat/adjustable rudder pedal design. Front seats pivot forward allowing easy access to rear baggage space through cabin doors on both sides of the fuselage.

Many of the design elements were based on market preferences. The Teledyne Continental O-200D engine was a clear customer preference because of its advantages in operations, warranty and maintenance. The engine is air-cooled and has a greater mean-time-between-overhaul period than other engines considered, and it demonstrated a lower operating cost.