The Cessna T.303 Crusader is a twin-engine 6-seat corporate and utility transport aircraft, built by
the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas, USA. The Cessna T303 accommodates next to the cockpit
crew of 2 pilots, 4 passengers. Model 303 was designed as a four seat light twin replacement for Cessna
Model 310. The prototype of the by two 120kW (160hp) Lycoming O320 engines powered Cessna Model 303 Clipper,
was flown first on 14 February 1978. However, it was soon realised that the market demand was for a larger
aircraft, and the Model 303 design was developed into a six seater aircraft. The new model, designated T303
for its turbocharged Continental TSIO-520 SER fuel injected engines, flew for the first time on 17 October 1979.
After the FAA Type certification was awarded in 1981, the first production
Cessna T303 Crusaders were delivered in 1981. When after four years the production of the T303 ended: 299
airframes were built and delivered. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Cessna T.303 is C303.
Cessna T.303 Crusader PH-VGA was operated by Aero Noord Nederland on business flights and crew training out of Hoogeveen
airfield and was the only two-engined plane based at Hoogeveen aerodrome in the Netherlands. The 1982-built Cessna T303
Crusader N6503C arrived at Hoogeveen on delivery out of Reykjavik on 3 December 1993. Registration N6503C was cancelled
on 10 December 1993. The Crusader was registered PH-VGA in the Netherlands with Chagall Veeningen BV, Veeningen, on 20 December
1993. The next day, Cessna T.303 Crusader operated its first flight as PH-VGA. On 14 May 2009, the PH-VGA was registered with
M.H.A. Brinkman Beheer BV, Emmen. On 21 December 2011, registration PH-VGA was cancelled as sold in the USA. On 10 February 2012,
Cessna T.303 Crusader s/n T303-00157 was registered N303MB with Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. Trustee, Ditchingham Bungay,
United Kingdom. On 4 March 2016, Cessna T.303 Crusader N303MB was registered with N303MB Corp Trustee, Wilmington, Delaware.
However the aircraft was sold in France it remained registered N303MB in the USA. On 4 August 1996, Cessna T.303 Crusader PH-VGA
was seen at Hoogeveen airfield (EHHO) in service with Aero Noord Nederland.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
