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From: ptomblin@xcski.com (Paul Tomblin)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: Cessna (was Re: Darwin frustrated)
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 19:22:22 GMT

In a previous article, Bob.Hiebert@worldnet.att.netNOSPAM (Bob Hiebert ) said: >In article <5emp66$5vg@news.tamu.edu>, wej3715@mulder.tamu.edu (Walter Eric Johnson) wrote:
>>for what it's worth, there are many things in the FAQ that have
>>no ULishness to them at all. In some cases, a false statement
>>is marked true:
>> Tb. Cessna planes aren't sold in the US anymore due to
>> threat of liability suits.
>>

>>        (Cessna does sell aircraft in the U.S.  They did

>>        discontinue sales of single-engine airplanes although

>>        I'm not sure if they have restarted the practice.)

>
>I sent this information to the FAQ-masters back in December. I haven't
>pursued this further (like trying to get transcripts from the interview)
>since I never heard back. At this point, I would think it would be hard to
>get the transcripts. My guess is that Paul Tomblin has more info on this
>than I do.

I sent some of this stuff to Emily back when she started the FAQ Documentation Project. Unfortunately I didn't keep copies myself. The FAQ is very badly worded in this case. To expand all points:

T. Cessna stopped making piston engined aircraft several years ago because of liability fears.
T. Cessna continued to make various Citation bizjets, and some jet trainers used by various airforces.
T. Cessna has started making Cessna 172s, 182s, and 206s in Independance, KS T. Cessna credits the General Aviation Revitalization Act (which puts time limits on manufacturer's liability exposure) with making it possible for them to return to making piston aircraft.

Cessna/Textron's web page has proof of some of this stuff, and a web search for "General Aviation Revitalization Act" should turn up more.

AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) was given the first piston aircraft (a 172) turned out from the new factory as a thank you from Russ Meyer (president of Cessna) for their lobbying efforts to get GARA passed. AOPA gave it away as a sweepstakes aircraft, but unfortunately I didn't win. Oh well, I'm still crossing my fingers for the 182 they're giving out this year. Or the Arrow that Flying Magazine is giving away. Or the Sporty's 172. Or the King Videos Mooney.

--
Paul Tomblin (ptomblin@xcski.com), Rochester Flying Club <a href="http://www.servtech.com/public/ptomblin/rfc/">RFC Web Page</a>
RFC is selling two of our PA28-181 Piper Archer IIs. See web page for details.