“We set out to develop an aircraft worthy of the Cessna name,” said Jack J. Pelton, Cessna chairman, president and CEO. “We have had more voice-of-the-customer input into the design of this aircraft than anything we've done in the past, and that has led to some very innovative features such as the uniquely designed dual control sticks.”

The control stick design provides straight stick functionality and feel, while allowing easy access to pilot and co-pilot seats. It is the first control stick airplane designed by Cessna since the Model 188 in 1965.

Other features incorporated in the Cessna LSA include electric elevator trim and mechanical flaps. Cessna also opted for a fixed-seat/adjustable rudder pedal design. Front seats pivot forward allowing easy access to rear baggage space through cabin doors on both sides of the fuselage. Many of the design elements were based on market preferences. The Teledyne Continental O-200D engine was a clear customer preference because of its advantages in operations, warranty and maintenance. The engine is air-cooled and has a greater mean-time-between-overhaul period than other engines considered, and it demonstrated a lower operating cost.

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2006, Cessna delivered 1,239 aircraft, including 307 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $4.2 billion and a backlog of $8.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 189,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of almost 5,000 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.

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