Cessna 162 Skycatcher
The Cessna 162 Skycatcher was Cessna's attempt to build a modern, factory-built successor to the aging Cessna 150/152 trainers, sized to meet the FAA's lighter, simpler Light Sport Aircraft category. Its glass cockpit and modern avionics were a significant step up from the analogue gauges of older trainers still in wide use. Production was outsourced to a factory in China, an unusual arrangement for Cessna that drew some controversy among US aviation circles. Cessna ended the program after a relatively short run, and Skycatchers remain a comparatively uncommon sight next to older Cessna trainers.

Did you know?
Built to the lighter Light Sport category, the Skycatcher is noticeably smaller and lighter than the 152 trainer it was meant to succeed.
Specifications
| Length | 6.5 m (21 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 8.9 m (29 ft) |
| Height | 2.4 m (8 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 1 |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 0.6 t |
| Range | 470 NM (870 km) |
| Maximum speed | 118 kt (219 km/h) |
| Stall speed | 37 kt (69 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 12,000 ft (3,658 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 12,000 ft (3,658 m) |
| Rate of climb | 880 ft/min (4.5 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 195 m (640 ft) |
| Landing distance | 320 m (1,050 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 90 l |
| Engines | 1x Continental O-200D |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
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