Cessna's Light Sport Changes Everything.

Cessna’s Light Sport Changes Everything.

FLYING Staff

Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A Cessna Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) has the potential to dramatically reduce the cost of flight training, aiming for a price point significantly below current trainers and nearly halving fuel expenses.
Cessna's established reputation and extensive manufacturing history would provide crucial confidence in LSA certification standards, addressing concerns about new or foreign manufacturers.
With a sleek, modern design, advanced avionics, and the potential for a complete, nationally branded "learn-to-fly" package, a Cessna LSA could revitalize flight training and attract new pilots to general aviation.

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I’ll admit it. I wasn’t really seeing what the new Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) rules could do for aviation. Yes, the LSA rules are simplified and costs for a new airplane can be lower. And, yes, you can fly an LSA with a valid driver’s license instead of an FAA medical certificate. But the first LSA offerings have been either versions of pumped up ultralights, or re-creations of classics such as the Piper J3 Cub. Why pay nearly $100,000 for a new Cub when the real thing in perfectly restored condition can be had for a fraction of that?

But Cessna boss Jack Pelton and his people do understand what an LSA can do for Cessna and for general aviation, and now I get it, too. Training is the answer. An LSA from Cessna has the potential to boost the flight training business to levels we haven’t seen in decades.