osxuser said:
The LSA market isn't where it's at for Cessna making profits, the margins are too small.
Perhaps, but somebody better tell the experts at Cessna. Unlike many aircraft companies that have come and gone, with it's lifespan in the decades now, Cessna has been around for a very long time. It is perhaps the most recognized and trusted name in GA. Among the many flight schools across America you would be hard pressed to find one without a trusty 'ol Cessna to learn in. Cessna is huge and in fact, you can find Cessna aircraft worldwide.
Point being, all the above is by no fluke. You can bet a company as successful as Cessna is comprised of very talented and competent research, strategy, marketing and R&D personnel. A company like Cessna knows whether or not to enter into a brand new chapter in aviation. To me, the fact that Cessna is jumping in full bore, with a flying example of a Cessna LSA at this years AirVenture, definitely puts a stamp of validity on Sport Pilot.
All those aging trusty 'ol Cessna 150's parked next to the flight schools will need to be eventually replaced, and why not with another trusted Cessna aircraft (perhaps utilizing some type of exchange program, who knows, except Cessna
). One of the biggest complaints of the whole Sport Pilot movement right now is the tremendous lack of available LSA's to train in. There is a void to be filled. Sure you can learn to fly in a 150/172 up until the last few hours before your check ride (which has to be done in an LSA) but as a prospective Sport Pilot, wouldn't a student want to learn to fly in a Sport Pilot aircraft (LSA), the kind of new airplane their going to buy or build and the same one he/she is going to have to be tested flying in sitting next to an examiner? I would, and I would imagine most CFI's would prefer this for their students. I believe Cessna realizes all of this.
Among the several aircraft that I saw at last years AirVenture LSA Mall, most manufacturers names were foreign (literally). Though there were some promising designs I personally didn't feel comfortable with the idea of handing over my hard earned money (and perhaps my life) to an unfamiliar, unproven manufacturer. Now, that same LSA parked under Cessna Aircraft Company's huge and impressive tent, next all those other shiny Cessna planes and corporate jets, cool merchandise, catchy music and (sorry, but it works) hot sales chicks, well thats a buyers paradise. Thats the LSA new prospective Sport Pilots (and their worried spouses) will feel comfortable with.
Much the same can be said about Vans. For the prospective LSA builder, Vans is by far the most prominent and trusted kit manufacturer. They too would not be investing the tremendous time and resources it takes to develope an LSA of their own unless it made absolute business sense to do so. Just as other well known and established companies like Rans and Kolb are doing. Again, this all adds validity to the new world of Sport aviation in general.
Of the LSA kits out there, the RV-12 will be THE one to have.
