User Guide

Flight Simulator
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Microsoft
Cessna Aircraft Company
His name is synonymous with light aircraft. Clyde
Cessna, one of aviation’s adventurous pioneers,
started flying in 1911 and began building planes
soon after. The first was a tiny monoplane that he
named “Silver Wings.” Throughout the early teens
he built and crashed a number of aircraft which
were either modifications of other designs or
designs of his own. He had minor success during
this time as a manufacturer and as a pilot, putting
on demonstrations at public gatherings for fifty
cents a head.
Cessna went back to farming for several years but
in the mid-twenties was enticed to join in an
aviation venture with Walter Beech and others.
Soon he struck out on his own again, determined
to build the first airship with a full-cantilever wing,
the Cessna Phantom. The Cessna Aircraft
Company was soon building the A-series planes,
which were successfully employed in commercial
and racing ventures.
Success led to expanded production facilities and
development of the DC series. The DC-6A and
DC-6B were officially certified on October 29,
1929—the day of the stock market crash, harbin-
ger of the Great Depression. Despite valiant
attempts to keep the company alive, the plant
doors were closed. Cessna privately continued
developing and racing planes with his son until
his dear friend Roy Liggett was killed in a plane
designed and built by Clyde during a race at
which he was a spectator.
Though Clyde’s enthusiasm for flying was
dampened, that of his nephews was not. After
assisting in the resurrection of the company, Clyde
relinquished the company helm to his nephew
Dwayne Wallace, who would lead Cessna Aircraft
Corporation for nearly 40 years. Throughout his
tenure Wallace was a popular figure at Cessna
who in the early days wasn’t above sweeping
floors, living on nickel hamburgers, and flying
races to win payroll money.
The company served during World War II by
producing Bobcat trainers and parts for B-29
bombers, and was a pioneer in the employment of
women in factory jobs. Postwar prosperity and
demand for private planes launched Cessna into
the role for which it is best known today, as a
producer of personal and business aircraft. In
addition to creating the Air Force’s first jet trainer
(the T-37) and business-class twins, Cessna
began production of the single-engine line, which
to most people defines “Cessna.” Starting with the
Cessna 120 and moving up through successive
models, the Cessna singles are the world’s best-
selling airplanes.
Although downturns during the 1980s halted the
production of piston-powered Cessnas, the
company is back to building a new generation of
its famous singles. Cessna also builds six business
jet models including the world’s fastest, the
You’ll find that the Cessna main-
tains straight-and-level flight very
well once you trim the aircraft.
Trim it and fly it “hands off.” When
you’re flying the RG, be sure to
put your landing gear down on
approach or in the traffic pattern.