7 September 1927

Clyde Vernon Cessna helps an unidentified woman climb aboard a Cessna Model AW airplane circa 1927–1928. (NASM)
Clarence Chamberlain with a Cessna Model AW (Warner Scarab engine). (shu-aero)

7 September 1927: Clyde Vernon Cessna and Victor Herbert Roos formed the Cessna-Roos Airplane Company at 1520 W. Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas. Roos soon sold his interest to Cessna, and the company became the Cessna Aircraft Company.

Cessna Model A, NX1627. Anzani engine. (Edgar B. Smith/Wisconsin Historical Society 121475)

The company’s first airplane was the Cessna Model A, a four-place, single-engine, high-wing, cabin monoplane with fixed landing gear. The prototype was powered by an air-cooled 12.123 liter (739.768-cubic-inch-displacement) Alessandro Anzani & Co. two-row, ten-cylinder radial engine rated at 120 horsepower.

The first production Cessna was the Model AA. The airframe was constructed of welded tubular steel and covered with doped fabric. The wing used laminated spruce spars and mahogany plywood ribs, covered in fabric. It was 24 feet, 9 inches (7.544 meters) long, with a wingspan of 40 feet, 0 inches (12.192 meters) and height of 7 feet, 2 inches (2.184 meters). The tapered wing had a total area of 224 square feet (20.8 square meters). The Model AA had an empty weight of 1,250 pounds (567 kilograms) and gross weight of 1,970 pounds (894 kilograms).

Cessna Model A, NX1627. (Edgar B. Smith/Wisconsin Historical Society 121477)

The Model A could be ordered with the Anzani, or any of several other available engines, but production was standardized with the Warner Scarab 7-cylinder radial, rated at 110 horsepower (Cessna Model AW).

The Model AA had a cruise speed of 102 miles per hour (164 kilometers per hour), and maximum speed of 120 miles per hour (193 kilometers per hour). The service ceiling was 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), and its maximum range was 450 miles (724 kilometers).

Cessna Model AA, NC4156. Anzania 10-cylinder engine. (shu-aero)

© 2018, Bryan R. Swopes

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4 thoughts on “7 September 1927

  1. Toward the end of my 30+ year career in flight simulation my company merged with the remnants of the old Link Company. I became interested in Ed Link’s development of the ‘flight trainer’, from the Blue Box onward. One ‘myth’ in the Link Company lore was that Ed had purchased the ‘first production Cessna aircraft’ in 1928. There was little additional information except for a photo of Ed and someone standing in front of the aircraft. I don’t seem to be able to add the picture.

  2. In four years Cessna will celebrate its 100th anniversary as a company. Wonder if they will do anything special for the event.

  3. Hello my is Eddie Montano and live in San Antonio, Texas. I see that you love airplanes also this is want of dreams to fly with someone just to feel to fly in a small plane especially a Cessna, and I want to say that I appreciate aviators that enjoys flying.

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