Cessna

The FAA published its final AD on inspections for a long series of single-engine Textron Aviation (Cessna) aircraft. The airworthiness directive goes into effect on November 12, 2020. The AD was prompted by cracks found in the lower area of the forward cabin doorpost bulkhead, and it requires repeated inspections of the lower area of […]

When you venture into the world of airplane ownership and evaluate different aircraft models for purchase, it quickly becomes clear that each offers various combinations of strengths and weaknesses. Some have outstanding payload at the expense of increased fuel burn. Some are capable of accessing very short runways at the expense of cruise speed. But […]

It is often said that a first-time airplane buyer should buy his or her last airplane first. The reasoning is, it makes little sense to invest in an airplane the pilot will outgrow or become bored with. A more expensive option may, in fact, prove to be a better long-term value by serving as a […]

And then there were three: Textron Aviation continues apace with its flight test program on the twin turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier, adding a third test article to the pre-production fleet. The aircraft, P2 in company parlance, made its first flight on September 28, 2020, in Wichita. That initial flight, led by pilots Todd Dafton and […]

ATP Flight School accepted delivery of eight new Garmin G-1000 NXi-equipped Cessna 172 Skyhawks from Textron Aviation during the week of September 1. This brings the number of training aircraft at ATP to more than 410 around the world. ATP said in a news release that its expansion is still being driven by the long-term […]

The second flight test article for the Cessna SkyCourier program took flight in Wichita on August 11. In Textron Aviation company parlance, the first conforming prototype is referred to as “P1,” and it was this component of the SkyCourier program that made its first flight from Wichita’s Beech Factory Airport (KBEC). Piloted by engineering flight […]

Seattle-based Fast Rabbit Aviation, LLC, recently became the latest customer to accept delivery of a Cessna Citation M2 entry-level jet. Textron Aviation said in a news release that the owners of Fast Rabbit Aviation will use their new M2 for frequent trips throughout the West Coast of the US; the aircraft is able to fly nonstop with […]

Early in my multi-engine flight training in the Cessna 310, the instructor and I practiced the required maneuvers, including loss of an engine on takeoff, as well as an engine failure in cruise. To this day I remember Dave telling me to consider a cruise engine failure just as seriously as the one at takeoff […]

The Civil Air Patrol has inked a contract with Textron Aviation for 17 piston aircraft, including 11 172S Skyhawks, 5 182T Skylanes, and a T206HD Stationair. The aircraft join a fleet of nearly 550 Cessna aircraft on the CAP’s flightlines, and they were purchased using fiscal year 2020 funds. “From search and rescue, to disaster […]

A proposed airworthiness directive stands to affect 6,586 Cessna 180, 182, and 185 models, driven by a report of cracks found in the tailcone and horizontal stabilizer attachment on a 185 that had displayed excessive play while undergoing maintenance. “After a detailed inspection, the tailcone reinforcement braces were found cracked on both sides of the […]