Cessna 162 SkyCatcher experiences
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:50 pm
Since I am getting checked out in a C162 I thought I would ask if others have any experience with the SkyCatcher that they can share.
Below is a copy from a previous post that was not on this topic.
"In 2007 for reasons I am now not sure of, I plopped down $5,000 as a deposit on a C162. My delivery slot is in mid-2013. My local FBO has had a C162 on leaseback almost a year ago now (serial #5) but has only allowed it to be used for training, no solo rental. However this policy has been changed and I am now getting checked out in the C162. Since I have almost 2 more years to wait for mine, I am not sure what is going to happen when it is finally avaiable. Do I like the plane? Yes. Is it the best LSA? not sure. What else I have I flown? Remos GX, Evektor SportStar and the Jabiru powered Thorpedo. Key differences between the C162 and the others are the Continental O200 and the Garmin G300. Visability is excellent as is the cabin width. Interior is spartan to say the least, most of the control cables are visible as is the the fuel level. Seats are fixed but comfortable and rudder pedals adjustable. The C162 flys more like a C172 i.e. the controls forces are heavier than on other LSA's that I have flown, but lands like a LSA. Useful load is limited but the baggage compartment is bigger than anything I have seen. Taxiing with differential breaking is somewhat of a pain but then it does have toe breaks. I have not flown the C162 in windy or gusty conditions yet, but the wing loading is higher than the old C152. Seems like all the C162 owners that I have spoken with have had a tail strike on landing (including an instructor with 14,000 hours) as have I but only once. The G300 PFD / MFD combination is clearly superior to the Dynon 100 series but I am not in a position to comment on G300 vs Dynon Skyview. IMHO if you want a high wing then it will be a 3 horse race between Cessna, Flight Design and Remos. Looks like Cessna have been able to hold the price at a reasonable level as the base price includes the G300 MFD, SL40 and GTX transponder, options bring the price up to about $125K. Cessna tells me they are on target to deliver 150 planes this year bringing the total up to about 200, plans for 2012 are to deliver about 350 aircraft. I suspect we will start to see more and more C162's at FBO's around the country."
Below is a copy from a previous post that was not on this topic.
"In 2007 for reasons I am now not sure of, I plopped down $5,000 as a deposit on a C162. My delivery slot is in mid-2013. My local FBO has had a C162 on leaseback almost a year ago now (serial #5) but has only allowed it to be used for training, no solo rental. However this policy has been changed and I am now getting checked out in the C162. Since I have almost 2 more years to wait for mine, I am not sure what is going to happen when it is finally avaiable. Do I like the plane? Yes. Is it the best LSA? not sure. What else I have I flown? Remos GX, Evektor SportStar and the Jabiru powered Thorpedo. Key differences between the C162 and the others are the Continental O200 and the Garmin G300. Visability is excellent as is the cabin width. Interior is spartan to say the least, most of the control cables are visible as is the the fuel level. Seats are fixed but comfortable and rudder pedals adjustable. The C162 flys more like a C172 i.e. the controls forces are heavier than on other LSA's that I have flown, but lands like a LSA. Useful load is limited but the baggage compartment is bigger than anything I have seen. Taxiing with differential breaking is somewhat of a pain but then it does have toe breaks. I have not flown the C162 in windy or gusty conditions yet, but the wing loading is higher than the old C152. Seems like all the C162 owners that I have spoken with have had a tail strike on landing (including an instructor with 14,000 hours) as have I but only once. The G300 PFD / MFD combination is clearly superior to the Dynon 100 series but I am not in a position to comment on G300 vs Dynon Skyview. IMHO if you want a high wing then it will be a 3 horse race between Cessna, Flight Design and Remos. Looks like Cessna have been able to hold the price at a reasonable level as the base price includes the G300 MFD, SL40 and GTX transponder, options bring the price up to about $125K. Cessna tells me they are on target to deliver 150 planes this year bringing the total up to about 200, plans for 2012 are to deliver about 350 aircraft. I suspect we will start to see more and more C162's at FBO's around the country."