When Clyde Cessna flew his innovative monoplane Silver Wings for the first time in 1911, spectators were still amazed at the novelty of manned flight. Hundreds attended exhibitions to marvel as Clyde simply flew overhead and hoped for a smooth landing. Fifty cents seemed a reasonable price to catch a glimpse of an aircraft soaring through the sky.
Over the next 95 years, rapid advances in aviation technology fundamentally changed the way we live, work, and wage war, and the Cessna Aircraft Company helped forge the way. From the company’s first single seat monoplane, handmade by Clyde himself in 1916, to the remarkable new Citation Mustang, Cessna has grown into the world’s largest General Aviation manufacturer, delivering 1,239 aircraft in 2006 alone. With more than $8.5 billion in back orders, Cessna remains committed to producing safe, reliable, high-quality aircraft.
Despite the turbulence that has threatened to ground it on more than one occasion, Cessna has built a reputation for rising above the competition. Discover the remarkable people and events that have helped shape The Legend of Cessna.
This fully updated third edition chronicles Cessna’s extraordinary history, with information on Cessna’s newest models and a Foreword written by Academy Award-nominated actor and aviation enthusiast Harrison Ford.