Demo Flight Questions

[N918KT]

Recently, I called a sales representative of Lincoln Park Aviation, a Cessna dealer, about when's the delivery of the Cessna Skycatcher to Aero Safety Training flight school and he told me that it maybe by the end of this year. He also told me that a Cessna Skycatcher currently in Michigan will make its way east to Lincoln Park Airport, NJ for a demo flight. It will arrive sometime this weekend maybe. This really excites me because I want to fly in the Skycatcher, even though I'm a student sport pilot and haven't flown since January.

I called him when exactly this week will it come, and he says he doesn't know yet, and he will let me know this Wednesday. I also asked how much does a demo flight cost and he says it's free (at least that's what he told me on phone). Finally he says that I need an appointment to schedule the demo flight.

Some problems I have this weekend is that I have work on Fridays and Saturdays and I may not be able to make it on those days. Sundays I'm free.

So how long does a demo plane stay in one place if it's constantly flying from airport to airport? If I can't make it that day, can I ask if the demo plane could stay another day so I can try the Skycatcher out? Also, are demo flights really free? Also how do I schedule a demo flight? Do I call the dealer? Can student pilots fly in the demo plane or do I have to be a licensed pilot to fly the demo plane? Sorry if I'm asking to many questions but I really want to seize this opportunity because it may be the only time I get to fly in the Skycatcher for a while.

[ArionAv8or]

Can student pilots fly in the demo plane or do I have to be a licensed pilot to fly the demo plane?

I will let the gurus on the board answer the other questions but I can probably handle this one. If you go up for a Demo Flight they MAY allow you to manipulate the controls under the guidance of their pilot but they will DEFINITELY be PIC. Since you have not flown in some time and are not checked out in the Skycatcher solo flight would be out of the question, not that their insurance company would even let a certified pilot solo their demo plane. Good luck on your quest and let us know what you think if you can make it work.

[Pawlander]

Also, Kevin, if you go for the demo ride, see if you can find out the empty weight for the demo plane (not an 'average' number, but the empty weight of that particular plane).

Sometimes the brochure-weight of an LSA is quite a bit lighter than the actual weight of typically-equipped airplanes you can really buy, and you get a big surprise when the useful load is a lot less than you expected.

The brochure numbers for the useful load for the Cessna didn't look too good when I first saw the prototype plane in Sebring in 2009. It would be interesting to see what the numbers are for a production model equipped for real-world use, like the demo plane.

[N918KT]

Some problems I have this weekend is that I have work on Fridays and Saturdays and I may not be able to make it on those days. Sundays I'm free.

So how long does a demo plane stay in one place if it's constantly flying from airport to airport? If I can't make it that day, can I ask if the demo plane could stay another day so I can try the Skycatcher out?

Can someone answer this question for me please? I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to make the demo flight if it's maybe going to be here on Saturday because of work. But Sunday I believe that I'm available.

[3Dreaming]

Kevin, they are visiting Cessna dealers trying to sell airplanes. they might have a schedule to keep, but with this kind of flying they have to keep some flexibility for weather and other delays. The salesman will do what ever it takes to get a prospective buyer in the airplane, even if it takes delaying the departure until Sunday.

[RyanShort1]

Some problems I have this weekend is that I have work on Fridays and Saturdays and I may not be able to make it on those days. Sundays I'm free.

So how long does a demo plane stay in one place if it's constantly flying from airport to airport? If I can't make it that day, can I ask if the demo plane could stay another day so I can try the Skycatcher out?

Can someone answer this question for me please? I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to make the demo flight if it's maybe going to be here on Saturday because of work. But Sunday I believe that I'm available.

The only persons that can really answer that question for you are the pilot and ground crew of the demo plane, and whoever is bringing the demo plane out. It may be that they're on a tour, in which case they probably will be on schedule unless weather causes a delay. If not, they might stick around. However, I doubt they'd want to pay for another night in a hotel, just so one guy could get a demo flight, unless they thought it would be significantly beneficial to them. Maybe if you got a group of 4-5 serious individuals together who also wanted demo flights at the same time they would be more likely to stay.

Ryan

[N918KT]

Thanks for answering that question guys. Actually, I have work in the afternoon at 1 PM on Saturdays so maybe it's possible that I could fly the Skycatcher at 8 or 9 in the morning. I'll just have to see.

I'm actually not planning on buying a Skycatcher, I just want to see what it's like flying in the Skycatcher so I could rent it out for flight training at the Aero Safety Training flight school in Lincoln Park Airport.

My last 2 questions that aren't answered yet are that are demo flights usually free? And if I wanna schedule a demo flight, who do I call to schedule it? Do I call the Cessna dealer?

[3Dreaming]

Kevin, it sounds like what you want to do would be considered an introductory or discovery flight. Normally there is a charge for these flights. It would be best to wait until the local flight school gets their airplane. The purpose of Cessna bringing the airplane around to dealers is to try and sell airplanes. You would hate to take a demo slot away from someone who might be willing to buy an airplane to be based at a local FBO. If you do call the Cessna dealer to fly this weekend make sure they know what your intensions are before you take the flight. Tom

[N918KT]

Actually, I'm no newcomer to aviation. I'm still a student pilot going for the SP license. Just haven't flown in awhile.

[ArionAv8or]

I'm actually not planning on buying a Skycatcher, I just want to see what it's like flying in the Skycatcher so I could rent it out for flight training at the Aero Safety Training flight school in Lincoln Park Airport.

I believe the point Tom was trying to make was that you should not take away someone's opportunity to demo the plane who actually has possible intentions on purchasing the aircraft when you have already admitted you have no desire.

[N918KT]

I see.

[N918KT]

Guys, today I called Frank Galella of Lincoln Park Aviation about when's the exact day of the Skycatcher to come for demo flights. He says he still doesn't know but gave me a phone number to call Steve Kent, who works at Cessna. So I called Steve and he says he doesn't expect the Skycatcher to come to Lincoln Park or Northern NJ for demo flights for another month, or 30 days. I asked how would I schedule a demo flight and he says that I should call Frank to schedule the demo flight. Also, I mentioned that I'm a student pilot and I wanna see what does it feel like flying the Skycatcher before the Skycatcher comes to a flight school near me. Finally, I asked are demo flights really free and he says for the prospective airplane buyer, yes. However, since I told him I'm planning to rent the Skycatcher, not buy it, Steve mentioned that I would have to pay a rental fee (or rental rate, if he says that, I don't know) to fly the demo aircraft, but he didn't mentioned how much. Aww well, I don't mind waiting another month to fly the demo Skycatcher.