Cessna Aircraft Co., unveiled the first production Model 162 SkyCatcher at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture 2008 on Oshkosh, Wis.

The unveiling comes one year after Cessna officially launched the light sport aircraft program. Cessna has taken orders for more than 1,000 SkyCatchers and completed three airframes for the program's development, the Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company says.

All engineering work and testing of the 162 will be completed in Wichita at Cessna Aircraft Field Airport adjacent to McConnell Air Force Base.

Beyond flight testing, design of the production assembly jigs and tooling by Shenyang (China) Aircraft Corp. is progressing rapidly, Cessna says. All assembly tool designs are complete with 30 percent built and located in the assembly building. All detail tool designs to support fabrication are complete and are in process. Cessna has a team located in Shenyang, China, working in the areas of operations, quality, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2009, and at full-rate production, Cessna plans to produce up to 700 SkyCatchers a year.

Priced at $111,500 dollars, the 162 is expected to cruise at speeds up to 118 knots with a maximum range of 470 nautical miles. The aircraft will feature a Garmin G300 avionics system.

Meanwhile, Jack Pelton, Cessna president and CEO, was to be recognized Tuesday night in Oshkosh with the 2008 Freedom of Flight Award, EAA's highest honor. It is given to individuals whose contributions to aviation closely mirror the integrity, entrepreneurship and innovation of EAA members.