C4 mockup to make U.S. debut at Oshkosh

The full-size mockup of Flight Design’s first-ever four seat aircraft, the C4, will make its U.S. debut later this month at AirVenture in Oshkosh.

When the mockup was unveiled at Aero in Friedrichshafen, Germany in mid-April this year, the company logged 30 orders for the C4 in the four-day event, according to officials.

As EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh show approaches — it runs from July 25-31, the C4 has landed in America and will be presented as a full scale mockup and available for up close viewing. Flight Design will also be busy taking special C4 “Early Bird” orders which provide customers a delivery position in the first 100 serial-produced aircraft plus a $10,000 discount from the list price. Depositing$7,000 secures a C4 “Early Bird” order with deposits being accepted at EAA AirVenture or online via credit card.

The C4 mockup at Aero. Photo by Dan Johnson.

“We are offering a very well-equipped C4, complete with a modern glass avionics suite and standard airframe parachute recovery system at a not-to-exceed price of $250,000 for the American market,” noted John Doman, Director of Business Development, Global Sales & Marketing for Flight Design. First deliveries are planned for early 2013.

Flight Design plans to announce initial C4 component supplier partners and provide a C4 program update at a press conference and luncheon at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh scheduled for noon on Tuesday, July 26.

C4 initial design specifications, to be validated during the development process,include: Employing high-tech materials like carbon fiber, useful load is 1,320 pounds or 50% of maximum take-off weight of 2,640 pounds; max cruise speed is projected at 160 knots (184 mph) at 6,000 feet MSL. The C4’s fuel tanks will hold 70 gallons, providing a range of 1,200 nm with a conventional avgas powerplant at 65% power and up to 1,700 nm with the planned optional diesel engine using more globally available Jet A fuel.

“We want to offer the market a modern technology, price-efficient aircraft that performs well, is comfortable for longer flights, and which operates with less fuel expense,” explained Matthias Betsch, CEO of Flight Design. “Our ongoing customer surveying shows us that price tops the demand list from customers and we believe our prices can result in sales volumes of 200 to 500 aircraft per year.” To participate in the online survey regarding design features of C4, go to FlightDesign.com/C4Survey. All participants will be entered into a drawing for a Garmin aera 500 GPS as a grand prize.

Flight Design plans to certify the C4 to several international standards including FAA certification in the United States. “At the same time we intend to improve our capability in global service and support, further expanding our leadership in these areas,” said Betsch. The German company has already passed several examinations, including a LAMA audit, ISO audit, and a review by TÜV. Recently the company gained EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) that permits Flight Design to progress on its own schedule without the need for time consuming and costly step-by-step involvement from EASA.

Flight Design is a 24-year-old manufacturer based in Germany. The company remains the worldwide market leader thanks to its CT series of light aircraft. More than 1,700 of these aircraft are flying in 39 countries. One of the first aircraft certified under ASTM International standards in 2005, the CT (“composite technology”) remains the top-selling LSA in America through six consecutive years.