Cessna
Cessna Model A
The Cessna Model A, introduced in 1927 by the fledgling Cessna Aircraft Company, was the firm’s first production aircraft and a pivotal step in shaping American general aviation. Designed by Clyde Cessna as a high‑wing, single‑engine monoplane, the Model A featured a welded‑steel tube fuselage clad in fabric and a wooden wing structure with Pratt & Whitney R‑985 radial powerplants ranging from 125 to 150 hp. Its 30‑foot wingspan and modest 950‑pound empty weight yielded a cruising speed of about 80 mph and a maximum range of roughly 350 miles, making it suitable for barn‑storming, airmail trials, and private owners seeking reliable short‑haul transport.
The aircraft’s straightforward construction, low operating costs, and forgiving flight characteristics earned it rapid acceptance among flight schools and early commercial operators. Over 300 Model As were built before production shifted to the more powerful Model B, but the design set enduring standards for simplicity, durability, and ease of maintenance. In aviation history, the Model A represents Cessna’s transition from experimental prototypes to a mass‑production philosophy that would later underpin its global reputation for dependable, affordable light aircraft.
The aircraft’s straightforward construction, low operating costs, and forgiving flight characteristics earned it rapid acceptance among flight schools and early commercial operators. Over 300 Model As were built before production shifted to the more powerful Model B, but the design set enduring standards for simplicity, durability, and ease of maintenance. In aviation history, the Model A represents Cessna’s transition from experimental prototypes to a mass‑production philosophy that would later underpin its global reputation for dependable, affordable light aircraft.
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 83
- First Flight
- 1927
- Service Entry
- 1928
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Cessna
- Designer
- Clyde Cessna
- Engine
- Anzani 10-cylinder
- Wikidata ID
- Q3665640