Clyde Cessna, the company's principal founder, needed a solution.

Clyde's son Eldon Cessna suggested building gliders, which were simple and cheap to construct, and would keep the company afloat until customers resumed purchasing more advanced (and expensive) powered aircraft.

[1] CG-2 sales generated sufficient funds to keep Cessna operating until 1932, when the company shut down for a period of two years.

[1] Longer flights could also be achieved by launching the glider off a hill or ridge.

Data from AirVenture Museum website[7]General characteristics Performance