On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 14:43:13 +0000 (UTC), (Paul
Tomblin) wrote:

You may be right about the LSA being a response to the mircrolights of
Eroupe....

Not precisely. The Sport Pilot limits were established to coincide with the
European Microlight definition. This meant that most, if not all, of the
existing, in-production Microlights already met Sport Pilot. To sell their
aircraft as ready-to-fly in the US, the European manufacturers then merely had
to take their aircraft through the new LSA certification process.

Until the LSA regulations were finalized, a US manufacturer didn't dare produce
an aircraft unless they intended to compete in the already-crowded European
market.

As for Cessna's proof of concept. I would be very suprised if it sold
for under $120,000.

I would be very surprised if it wasn't between $90K and $100K, since that
seems to be the competitive price for LSA.

I've heard that the new Cessna isn't intended as an LSA. It meets the Sport
Pilot limits, but Cessna will supposedly certify it in the Normal category.

It makes a heck of a lot of sense. Cessna has all the corporate processes for a
Normal category certification, and they minimize their liability exposure since
maintenance and inspections will still require A&Ps.

And after they've been on the market a few years, I'll be looking to buy a
used one.

Even better, in a few years, used engines will be available for the homebuilt
market.

Ron Wanttaja