Cessna loaned the Production #1 C162 Skycatcher to King Schools in September so we could begin flying it to provide a model performance on video of the maneuvers a learning pilot has to demonstrate.
We love it. In fact we think it is a game-changer. It gives new hope for an exciting future for flight training.
It is as wide as a Cessna 206. Nearly everyone who took lessons in a C150 or C152 has stories about the difficulty of fitting two people in the airplane. In the Skycatcher you have a feeling of luxurious spaciousness.
It is easy to get in and out of the airplane. The struts connect to the fuselage aft of the cabin doors and the gull-wing doors move up and out of the way. Although the seats don’t adjust (we use cushions), the rudder pedals do adjust forward and backward, and the control stick comes from the panel, leaving the floor area clear.
The visibility is fabulous. The view over the panel is great. The side windows come down lower than on most airplanes and, along with the aft strut placement, result in an unrestricted view of the ground passing below. In warm weather it is a delight to taxi the airplane with the doors up for an open air feeling.
It has plenty of power. It seems to just leap off the runway. The great performance is probably the result of having so much power for its weight plus an improved wing.
The G300 avionics system is nearly as capable as the G1000 and is very intuitive and easy to operate.
And to cap it all off the control feel is wonderful—the controls are delightfully responsive without being overly sensitive. This airplane is flat out fun to fly.
I have to tell you that initially we were skeptical about this whole light sport aircraft concept. Our reaction was, “What’s the big deal?” Well the big deal is that Light Sport Certification let Cessna build a far more capable and fun airplane than a Cessna 152 at a price far lower than what the Cessna 152 would cost if it were built today. Cessna really got it right, and that is great news for our entire industry.
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pleas note I have a somewhat old King Private Pilot Knowledge Test Course and it was for windows 8, well just about the time I went to install it Windows 10 came along and now the course will not install (or so it says). I am also thinking with me being diabetic that I won’t be able to get a 3rd class medical even if could. I wanted to get my private pilots license but now it looks like sport pilot will be all that I can get. What do You think I should do? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
PS the password is BR145561354P, this is all that I have, the program key I’m not to sure of
12272-8292-33853-5434 I think
I was a member of the Sacramento Ben Ali Flying Shriners and I owned a Cessna 182 H. On May 25, 1991 we had a dinner at the Sacramento Executive Airport. The Speaker was president of AOPA Phil Boyer. I believe you and you wife flew in with Phil and his wife. We moved to Florida 8 years ago and today I watched the news about the Piper in Austin TX that flew into the building and I heard the reporter asking John King about GA aircraft and I wanted to write to you about a happier time in our lives. Happy flying Bob G. Forsythe