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:

Cessna sees the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) segment as a key opportunity to revitalize flight training, aiming to significantly boost new pilot numbers.
A Cessna LSA would dramatically reduce the cost of learning to fly, targeting a price below $100,000 and cutting fuel expenses, making aviation more accessible.
Cessna's established reputation, extensive manufacturing history, and robust support network would provide crucial confidence and cost control within the LSA market, unlike new, unproven manufacturers.
This strategic move would enable Cessna to re-establish a comprehensive, branded learn-to-fly program, securing a continuous pipeline of pilots and reinforcing customer loyalty across its entire product line.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.