[11] The concept design was unveiled on 24 July 2006 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh as the Cessna LSA (also referred to as the Cessna Sport), via a marketing study of the feasibility of producing an aircraft compliant with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's new Light-Sport Aircraft category.

On 13 October 2006, nine months after launching the program, the concept prototype aircraft, registered N158CS, first flew, departing McConnell Air Force Base for Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport and reaching a speed of 110 knots (200 km/h).

[2][19][20] By late 2013 "droves" of position holders had canceled their orders due to price increases and failure of the design to meet expectations.

I hope I’m not bursting anyone’s bubble by pointing out that Cessna is not exactly a modern innovator in design of light aircraft."

"[23] On 27 November 2007, Cessna announced that the Cessna 162 would be made in the People's Republic of China by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, a Chinese government-owned consortium of aircraft manufacturers.

A second reason cited for moving production to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation was that Cessna at that time had no plant capacity available in the United States.

Part of the price increase was due to the incorporation of optional features as standard, including the multi-function display, intercom and sun visors.

Russ Niles writing for AVweb noted, "the new price puts the Skycatcher at the upper end of the market for LSAs".

If a company with Cessna's economy of scale and marketing acumen can't make an LSA more affordable by building it in China, the notion of low-cost aircraft may very well be the myth that many people think it is.

[21] In April 2012, the company was forced to refund deposits to a number of customers in Europe due to delays in gaining EASA certification.

The Cessna 162's design evolved considerably from the first prototype, including the wing position and tail configuration.

This technique is widely used in the kit-plane industry and in construction of larger aircraft, but would be Cessna's first use in its single-engine line.

[35][36] While the initial proof-of-concept aircraft flew with a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912S engine, the production Cessna 162 is powered by a direct drive air-cooled, carbureted Continental O-200-D engine, producing 100 hp (75 kW) at 2,800 rpm and equipped with a two-blade, fixed pitch composite propeller.

With the O-200D engine the Skycatcher is capable of cruise at speeds as high as 118 knots (136 mph/219 km/h), with a maximum range of 470 nautical miles (870 km) at a gross weight of 1,320 lb (599 kg).

[41][42] The National Transportation Safety Board stated on 18 September 2008 that the Cessna 162 was registered in the experimental category and was conducting a test flight when the accident occurred.

The company indicated that the testing was outside that required for LSA certification and that the accident will result in only small design changes.

[43][44][45][46][47] Despite earlier claims that the design would undergo only small changes as a result of the crash of the prototype, in late 2008 the 162 received a redesigned vertical stabilizer.

Wind then dragged the aircraft 0.6 mi (1.0 km) into a fence, leaving it inverted and heavily damaged.

[53] On 25 March 2009, Cessna CEO Jack Pelton confirmed that the 162 program would continue, saying: "The need for a modern, cost-effective two-seat trainer aircraft has never been greater, and we believe we are well positioned to meet that need.

"[52] The final production 162 incorporated a thicker wing and further changes to the tail, including a ventral fin, to make the aircraft more resistant to spins.

The first production aircraft were delivered from China, assembled by Cessna contractor Yingling Aviation and then modified by adding the ventral fin and decreasing the elevator and aileron travel.

In February 2012, the assembly of the plane was moved to Cessna's Independence, Kansas, factory, ending Yingling's participation.

[10] In November 2012, Cessna issued a Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) as a result of cracks found on its cyclic test aircraft.