The C162 Skycatcher is an American single-engine, 2-place, light sport aircraft (LSA). It was developed primarily for flight training and personal use. The Skycatcher took its maiden flight on March 8, 2008 and was manufactured between December of 2009 and December of 2012. A total of 275 were produced.
The Skycatcher was designed with pilot training in mind. An emphasis was placed on crafting a straightforward, efficient cockpit with side-by-side seating, the ideal configuration for pilot instruction. Aerodynamically, the C162 is responsive, yet forgiving. The aircraft comprises a strut-braced, high main wing, a traditional empennage, and a fixed tricycle undercarriage with a castering nosewheel. Inside the cockpit, pilots are treated to “stokes,” hybrid stick-yoke main controls, and full-color, all-glass pilot flight displays.
The Skycatcher is powered by a 4-cylinder, 100-horsepower piston engine that turns a 2-blade, fixed-pitch propeller. The aircraft has a range of 540 miles, a service ceiling of 15,500 feet above sea level, and a climb rate of 880 feet per minute. It cruises at 129 miles per hour and has a top speed of 136 mph.
The C162 Skycatcher is one of aviation’s newest breeds of entry level aircraft. Its carefully engineered flight profile invites a wide variety of pilots, from first timers to seasoned professionals.
