Cessna
Cessna 162 Skycatcher
The Cessna 162 Skycatcher was a light sport aircraft produced by the American manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company. Development began in 2008 as Cessna’s response to the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s newly created Light‑Sport Aircraft (LSA) category, and the prototype first flew on 25 March 2009. Certified by the FAA in 2010, the Skycatcher entered limited production that same year, with deliveries to flight schools and private owners lasting until 2014, when Cessna announced the model’s discontinuation due to lower than expected sales.
Key features of the Skycatcher include a high‑wing, all‑metal construction, side‑by‑side seating, and a 100‑horsepower Rotax 912 S engine that drives a three‑blade constant‑speed propeller. The aircraft’s stall speed of 38 knots and maximum cruise speed of 108 knots meet LSA performance limits while providing stable handling, easy stall recovery, and low operating costs. Avionics options range from a basic analog panel to a Garmin G3X Touch glass cockpit.
Although its production run was brief, the Skycatcher represented Cessna’s entry into the sport‑aviation market and demonstrated the company’s willingness to adapt to regulatory changes. It helped popularize light‑sport training in the United States and influenced subsequent Cessna designs such as the Cessna 172 Skyhawk Light‑Sport variant.
Key features of the Skycatcher include a high‑wing, all‑metal construction, side‑by‑side seating, and a 100‑horsepower Rotax 912 S engine that drives a three‑blade constant‑speed propeller. The aircraft’s stall speed of 38 knots and maximum cruise speed of 108 knots meet LSA performance limits while providing stable handling, easy stall recovery, and low operating costs. Avionics options range from a basic analog panel to a Garmin G3X Touch glass cockpit.
Although its production run was brief, the Skycatcher represented Cessna’s entry into the sport‑aviation market and demonstrated the company’s willingness to adapt to regulatory changes. It helped popularize light‑sport training in the United States and influenced subsequent Cessna designs such as the Cessna 172 Skyhawk Light‑Sport variant.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 192
- First Flight
- 2006
- Service Entry
- 2009
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Cessna
- Wikidata ID
- Q1057063