CESSNA DENIES BABY JET REPORT

Cessna Aircraft Company is denying a report by a well-known aviation publication that it is developing a baby jet to compete with the Eclipse 500. "Aviation International News" reported that Cessna would unveil a jet in the four- to five-seat range, powered by a Williams engine and carrying a $2.6-million price tag, at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention and trade show in Orlando, Florida, next week. A Cessna spokeswoman told "ePilot" that AIN was "reporting rumors." The spokeswoman did confirm that Cessna will announce a new aircraft on Monday, but would not comment on the size or performance of the aircraft, only saying that it is another model in the Citation line. AIN also reported that Cessna would announce a stretched version of its popular Citation CJ2. An announcement of a new design should ot come as a surprise to the industry. Former Cessna CEO Gary Hay hinted that the company was working on a new aircraft at a NBAA event two years ago. Speculation had been mounting before then.

I bet that hurt!!

I guess that means low wings are boys & high wings are girls. 99 times out of 100 that is how that accident happens. (Low wing on top)

I have only heard of one where they survived - that must be the picture from that incident.

This is the AOPA release. However the text does not say what the title says--they do not appear to deny at all. And in fact, there is a market for the mini-jets--you are right, 2.6 mill seems high; one of the other manufacturers is quoting at less than $1.0 (which seems cheap).

I noticed the text & title didn't totally jive.

There is one model, I think it is the Eclipse, that list at $750,000 to $800,000, which is less than a new Baron with the same performance & less maintenance cost.

The only downside I see is the FAA requires a type certificate to pilot any jet powered aircraft. (Not that big of a deal, but it could be a pain in the but if several companies start making light jets)

"The only downside I see is the FAA requires a type certificate to pilot any jet powered aircraft. (Not that big of a deal, but it could be a pain in the but if several companies start making light jets) . . . . "

I read carefully the description in the monthly AOPA and could not confirm these things are intended to be single pilot airplanes--they tell you that they have done a lot to simplify flying them but they don't come out and say they are SP although I assume they are.

Nobody seems to make much of the type cert problem--you go for a ride with the chief pilot and he signs you off. I suppose at the point you own one of these, the initial type cert requires you to learn to fly it but you would presumably have only one kind of airplane. The real operator limitation is imposed not by the FAA but rather by the insurance company--by the time you are insured when you are driving, the FAA has long since signed off.

I have not sat down and figured out the cost of using one of these as a substitute for commercial air transportation. It is guaranteed a lot less than your Gulf or Citation.

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