The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Looks like it is official (almost)... Cessna is buying Columbia Aircraft. I'm glad to see that Columbia will stay on the scene, but it's too bad they couldn't keep themselves afloat. With Cessna buying them it will eliminate some competition and maybe some innovation(?) in the market.

I'm a fan of competition in markets like this... too few manufacturers can stifle new ideas. After all, companies like Columbia and Cirrus are one of the big reasons there is a market for composite, high performance, personal aircraft in the first place.

I guess we'll have to wait and see how it goes.

http://www.avweb.com/news/nbaa/NBAA2007 ... 211-1.html

Doug I agree with you. My first thought was, that the purchase will slow down the pace of innovation in the plastic airplane world.

Well, at least the experimental side (Lancair) is still on it's own. Hopefully that will keep some new ideas in the market.

Speaking of NBAA is anyone in town for it?