The Aero Experience: Air Associates Skycatcher Is Great Performing, Economical Training Aircraft

By Carmelo Turdo

Spring has finally arrived in the Midwest, and it's now time for pilot training and building hours in the great performing, economical Cessna Skycatcher from Air Associates. The Skycatcher is ideal for new students in Light Sport Aircraft and Private Pilot Certificate training courses offered at either Air Associates of Missouri in St. Louis or Air Associates of Kansas in Olathe. Both locations are Cessna Pilot Centers, offering state-of-the-art training materials and Garmin-equipped, newer-model Cessna aircraft.

The Cessna Skycatcher has great performance for a Light Sport Aircraft, and offers pilot and passenger a comfortable flight at 110kts with less than 10 gallons/hour fuel burn rate. It uses the proven Continental 0200 engine and conventional metal airframe construction, precluding specialty maintenance tooling needed for composite aircraft or Rotax engines. The rounded cabin design offers 44" cabin width at the shoulders, enough room to prevent rubbing elbows. Likewise, the 40" seat to ceiling height leaves plenty of headroom. Renting a Skycatcher from either Air Associates location is affordable, and learning to fly in one is a smart first step.

The roominess, great visibility and pleasant flying characteristics of the Skycatcher are illustrated in this brief video clip from a Discovery Flight taken by The Aero Experience Founder Carmelo Turdo and 2013 New CFI of the Year Rich Franzer, then a CFI with Air Associates of Missouri: