• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
General Aviation News

General Aviation News

Because flying is cool

  • Pictures of the Day
    • Submit Picture of the Day
  • Stories
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Products
    • NTSB Accidents
    • ASRS Reports
  • Comments
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ad
  • Events
  • Digital Archives
  • Subscribe
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Discovery 201 makes SUN ‘n FUN debut

By Ben Sclair · April 10, 2013 ·

The first Russian aircraft to be privately owned, developed and certified is at this week’s SUN ’n FUN. A partnership of people from around the world, called Discovery Aviation, has the Discovery 201 on display.

The plane is a twin-engine five seater, with massive side doors and access to the rear baggage area through an interesting clamshell door set-up. It can be outfitted with skis and retractible floats.

At present, the airplane is being validated by the FAA.

“Since the plane is already certified in Russia, we need only validate the design with the FAA,” said Discovery Aviation CEO Rick Cunliffe. “The final step before validation will happen next month when FAA officials fly the plane.”

The major structural components will be manufactured in Russia and assembled at Discovery’s Melbourne, Florida, facility. The company is looking to the international market, and with that in mind, “we are testing both the SMA and Continental diesels,” said Cunliffe.

It is not a speed demon at 113 knots, but boasts a 1,455-pound useful load with a 184 gallon fuel capacity. Final pricing hasn’t been determined, but will fall in the $900,000 to $1 million range. Discovery Aviation is located in the Manufacturers Display area, Space 2.

For more information: Discovery-Aviation.com

About Ben Sclair

Ben Sclair is the Publisher of General Aviation News, a pilot, husband to Deb and dad to Zenith, Brenna, and Jack. Oh, and a staunch supporter of general aviation.

Share this story

  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit Share on Reddit
  • Share via Email Share via Email

Become better informed pilot.

Join 110,000 readers each month and get the latest news and entertainment from the world of general aviation direct to your inbox, daily.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Curious to know what fellow pilots think on random stories on the General Aviation News website? Click on our Recent Comments page to find out. Read our Comment Policy here.

© 2025 Flyer Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Writer’s Guidelines
  • Photographer’s Guidelines