The Cessna XMC was a prototype technology demonstrator designed to show advanced aerodynamics and materials. The marketing name of XMC stood for "Experimental Magic Carpet" with the single test aircraft designated Cessna 1014 and later 1034 in company documentation.[1]
The two-seat Cessna XMC was built to test several concepts in light aircraft design including a ducted propeller and swept cantilever wing. The program ran from the beginning of 1971 until the end of 1972. The aircraft was used to assess improved visibility, center of gravity effects, control surface locations and response, cabin noise levels and also the relationship of wing versus engine and propeller.[2]
The XMC employed metal-to-metal bonding, allowing for experimentation in expanded use for bonding in other types in the Cessna commercial product line. Additional stress testing was also conducted as necessary as the aircraft entered further testing and modification.[3]
The sole prototype was registered as N7174C and given Cessna serial number 674. It was powered by a Continental O-200 1000NaN0 engine mounted in pusher configuration. This was the same powerplant used in the then-current production Cessna 150. The tail boom was similar in design to that used on the Cessna Skymaster.
The first flight of the 1014 model was made on January 22, 1971 by Cessna test pilot Bruce Barrett. The aircraft was modified in 1972 and given a new model number, 1034. In this configuration it was first flown June 1, 1972, again with Bruce Barrett at the controls.
The test program consisted of three phases:
The XMC project ended in 1972. The aircraft configuration proved to have higher cabin noise levels than the production Cessna 150 and offered no performance advantages over the older design.
