Cessna
| Cessna Aircraft Company Inc.
|
|
|---|---|
 |
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| legal form | Corporation |
| founding | 1927 |
| resolution | 2014 |
| Reason for dissolution | Merger with Hawker Beechcraft |
| Seat |
Wichita , United States
|
| management | Scott A. Ernest, CEO |
| Number of employees | 15,000 |
| Branch | Aircraft construction |
| Website | www.cessna.com |
The Cessna Aircraft Company Inc. - founded in 1927 by Clyde Vernon Cessna - was an American aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Wichita , Kansas . One and two -engine small propeller , turboprop and jet planes were built . From 1965, Cessna produced business jets . The brand name Cessna [ ˈsesnə ; also tʃɛ̣s- ] designates one of the most famous aircraft series for private and business aircraft, and fighter aircraft were also manufactured (e.g. the Cessna A-37 ).
After General Dynamics bought the company Cessna in 1985, the production of small aircraft was stopped. This was largely due to the extension of product liability in the USA, so that commercial marketing of these aircraft types appeared unrealistic.
Only after the new sale in 1992 to Textron Inc. were aircraft of this type series made again. In 2014 the company merged with Hawker Beechcraft to form Textron Aviation . However, the Cessna brand name continues to apply to all existing product lines.
Examples of Cessna airplane models
Most of the aircraft manufactured by Cessna fall into the class of so-called stripped shoulder -wing planes . They come in several different hull sizes.
Cessna 162 "Skycatcher"
→ Main article: Cessna 162
The smallest aircraft made by Cessna was the 2-seater Cessna 140, which later became known worldwide with only minor changes under the model numbers Cessna 150 and Cessna 152. Over 30,000 aircraft of this model series were produced in all variants. Versions suitable for aerobatics have the addition "Aerobat" after the type designation. Because of its low operating costs and good-natured flight characteristics, the aircraft is still a standard model in pilot training today. Over 75% of the old model series are still in use. In 1985 the manufacturer decided to only sell the larger models from the Cessna 172 onwards. At the end of 2007 this decision was revised and the Cessna 162 model was launched on the market. While the fuselage structure and the engine were taken from the tried and tested predecessor model, the two-seater 162 received a modern Garmin G300 glass cockpit in the interior, which was specially adapted for this small model. The aircraft is approved for day and night flights according to visual flight rules (VFR), but not for flights according to instrument flight rules (IFR). The first SkyCatcher series had its maiden flight in May 2008 (around eight weeks after the prototype). The first machine built in Shenyang in the People's Republic of China by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation for the American market had its maiden flight on September 17, 2009. The approximately 400 kg heavy metal two-seater is to be registered in the USA in the LSA class and will be sold for 111,500 dollars. The machine is equipped with a 74 kW Continental piston engine and has a top speed of 219 km / h and a range of 870 km. In the end, the Cessna 162 remained unsuccessful on the market and production was discontinued in 2014.
Cessna 172 "Skyhawk"
→ Main article: Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 "Skyhawk" series is very similar in structure to the smaller sister model 152/162, but significantly larger. There is space for four people in the cabin, including the pilot, a more powerful engine is used, and the enlarged wings allow more tank volume, which results in a greater range with a low payload. The Cessna 172 (earliest versions are called Cessna 170) has been built almost unchanged from the outside since 1950. The company Reims Aviation from France manufactured the models for the European market under license for a long time (see photo on the right), today it is again manufactured exclusively at the Cessna headquarters in Wichita. The Skyhawk models are also very popular as training aircraft, as they are also approved for instrument flight (IFR) due to their extensive equipment , which is an important part of training for professional pilots . Today's models have an extensive glass cockpit; Weather radar, collision and terrain warning systems can also be ordered. With leather equipment and air conditioning, the Skyhawk is also used by private customers as a comfortable little touring aircraft. The C172 is also available as a seaplane .
Cessna 177 "Cardinal"
→ Main article: Cessna 177
When Cessna presented the C210 Centurion with a strut-free rectangular wing in 1967 (which, in addition to a slightly increased speed, above all gave the aircraft a new, modern look), in the eyes of the Cessna engineers it was time to introduce the successful Cessna Skyhawk (Cessna 172) to be replaced by a modern successor. The prototype of the new model was initially called Cessna C172J (called "J-Bird"). In addition to a completely new cell, the main change concerned the new rectangular wing without strut of the Cessna 210. This wing was used in a lighter version. In order to improve the view of the pilot in the new Cessna 177, the wing was set much further back than was the case in the Cessna 172. In order to allow a very large center of gravity, the Cessna 177 is the only Cessna aircraft to have a large pendulum elevator (stabilizer) set very far back. Due to the relative under-motorization, very expensive production (and thus high sales price) as well as problems in handling the machine, the Cessna 177 could not prevail against the Cessna 172 - whose production was continued.
Until 1978 the Cessna 177 "Cardinal" (named after the cardinal bird, see Cardinals ) was built as a high-priced niche product in continuously improved versions. From 1969 a 180 HP Lycoming O-360 engine with controllable pitch propeller was used and the early teething problems were almost completely eliminated. From 1971, a version with retractable landing gear, the C 177 RG (Retractable Gear), was also built, which was also produced under license in Reims, France. The "RG" is powered by a Lycoming IO-360 engine with 200 HP and constant speed propeller. In terms of performance, the Cessna 177RG is located between the Piper PA-28 "Arrow" and the lighter Mooney models (with a maximum of 200 hp).
The Cessna Cardinal is today (in the versions FG (Fixed Gear) and RG (Retractable Gear)) a popular and comparatively fast touring aircraft. A global club "Cardinal Flyers Online" connects many owners and pilots all over the world.
Due to its relative exclusivity (relatively small number of items, very modern appearance, excellent handling, comparatively high performance), the "Cardinal" has a certain special status within the Cessna products.
Cessna 182 "Skylane"
→ Main article: Cessna 182
The Skylane is the largest version of the single-engine 4-seater touring aircraft and is distinguished by an even more powerful engine, adjustable constant-speed propeller, larger tank volumes and higher take-off weights. The dimensions are also slightly larger.
At times the Skylane was available with a retractable gear and had the ending "RG" (retractable gear) .
Cessna 206 "Stationair"
→ Main article: Cessna 206
The single-engine, six-seat Cessna 206 came on the market in 1964 and was initially built until 1986. Production resumed in 1998 and is still ongoing.
This almost indestructible, high-performance aircraft with fixed landing gear is particularly valued in bush flying with its simple and relatively unkempt runways. It transports a payload of around 650 kg or five passengers.
Cessna 207 "Stationair 7" and "Stationair 8"
→ Main article: Cessna 207
The six-seater Cessna 206 was significantly lengthened to finally offer space for up to 8 people. It was launched in 1969 and is the largest single-piston piston aircraft ever built by Cessna. 788 copies of the Cessna 207 were built until 1985.
It transports a payload of around 700 kg or seven passengers.
The large amount of space is very much appreciated when it is used as a drop plane in parachuting and for sightseeing flights. Air taxi companies and smaller cargo airlines also often use it on short-haul routes, where the entire seating capacity can be used.
Cessna 208 "Caravan", "Grand Caravan" and "Cargomaster"
→ Main article: Cessna 208
The Cessna 208 (Caravan) is a single-engine passenger and cargo aircraft, and is designed for commercial traffic. The first prototype flew in December 1982 and FAA approval took place in October 1984.
The stretched version of the 208, the Grand Caravan, can carry 14 passengers.
Together with customer Federal Express , Cessna designed a freight version of the 208, the Cargomaster. The Cargomaster has an additional cargo compartment under the hull and can load over 1.5 tons of cargo. Further variants of the 208 are a military version under the name U-27A and a seaplane version , the Caravan Amphibian.
The Cessna 208, which was built over 1,500 times, is now in service all over the world as a feeder, rescue, supply and cargo aircraft - except in Western Europe. This is due to the fact that the European authorities do not allow instrument flight in commercial operation with only one engine. In Germany, the Caravan and Grand Caravan are by far the most popular dropping planes for parachutists.
Cessna Skymaster
→ Main article: Cessna Skymaster
The Cessna 336 "Skymaster" was built from 1963 to 1964 after its maiden flight in February 1961; a total of 195 copies were made. The slightly larger Cessna 337 "Super Skymaster", which was later referred to as the Cessna 337 "Skymaster", was built since 1965 .
Cessna Citation
→ Main article: Cessna Citation
The main business area of the Cessna Aircraft Company was most recently the twin-engine business jets of the Citation series. Starting with the new small Mustang for four passengers and single pilot operation, the model range goes through the CJ , XLS , Encore , Sovereign to the Citation Longitude , which offers space for twelve passengers. With Mach 0.935, the Citation X + is one of the fastest civil aircraft ever.
See also
literature
- Horst W. Laumanns: Type Compass - Cessna: Aircraft since 1927 . Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2009, ISBN 978-3-613-03085-5 .
Web links
- Official manufacturer side (English)
- Cessna Citation representative in Germany
- The Virtual Aviation Museum - Type overview
- Website of the worldwide Cardinal Association with lots of information about the aircraft