Cessna Skycatcher Coming to Town

KevinV · Post by **KevinV** » Sat May 09, 2009 7:02 pm

When I was at my local FBO today, I had a chance to speak with the owner. They currently have 2 LSA's, an Aerostar 1, and an Elitar Sigma. He said that he plans on selling them both, and replacing them with a Cessna Skycatcher. It's still about a year out, but I look forward to having the opportunity to fly one. It's certainly an attractive and comfortable looking plane.

KSCessnaDriver · Post by **KSCessnaDriver** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:52 am

Have you flown the Sigma at all? I've seen one once, and want to get an opportunity to fly one sometime.

In regards to the Skycatcher, it doesn't really appeal to me. Its too late to the party, with specifications that nearly every other LSA can beat. Plus, the panel is really overkill for what Cessna is building the 162 for.

Jim Stewart · Post by **Jim Stewart** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:47 pm

It's certainly an attractive and comfortable looking plane.

I may be biased, but I think my Flight Design CTSW is more attractive and more comfortable.

Philip B · Post by **Philip B** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:25 pm

It is not a bad looking plane and I look forward to giving it a try, but I am looking to possibly purchase a used AMD ZODIAC CH601 XL or close. I like the looks of the Zodiac but need to take a spin and see if I like the ride.

KevinV · Post by **KevinV** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:23 pm

KSCessnaDriver wrote:Have you flown the Sigma at all? I've seen one once, and want to get an opportunity to fly one sometime.

I haven't tried the Sigma. My instructor seemed to shy away from it. I really like the openness of it for viewing the ground. I think at this point I'd prefer a high wing plane to train in. That's part of what drew me to the P92 I'm going to try at Lockwood.

KSCessnaDriver · Post by **KSCessnaDriver** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:35 pm

KevinV wrote:
I haven't tried the Sigma. My instructor seemed to shy away from it. I really like the openness of it for viewing the ground. I think at this point I'd prefer a high wing plane to train in. That's part of what drew me to the P92 I'm going to try at Lockwood.

I may have to stop in at Winter Heaven this fall. I saw the Sigma at Sebring this spring, and right then decided I had to get in that airplane sometime.
I'd agree with the CTSW. Also, a Remos G3/GX is nearly identical (cockpit wise) to the CTSW.

jlong16 · Post by **jlong16** » Tue May 12, 2009 6:56 pm

I've flown the Sigma. It does have great visibility and handles pretty light. Once you set it up to glide in, you almost don't touch the stick again. It's kind of a non-event, which surprised me. I expected it to be very squirrley near the ground.
The plane is exactly what you think it is. It flies about 100 mph, burns about four and a half a gallons an hour and is pretty quiet with the tractor mounted engine. I like the air vents. Florida gets pretty hot but the sigma has a lot of vents and they work good.
It is set up very basically. You have fewer instruments than the Cessna which seems to want to build a 172 in an LSA. I bet they have to bulk up the generator to handle teh power demand on the 162.