One of the drawbacks of Light Sport Aircraft is that, by design and regulation, they can only hold two people. The lion’s share of the LSA market is held by Flight Design, with its family of Composite Technology (CT) aircraft. The family just got a little bigger — in many ways — as Flight Design has introduced a four-place model dubbed, appropriately enough, the Flight Design C-4.
During Sun ‘n Fun in April, Flight Design USA President Tom Peghiny and Flight Design CEO Matthias Betsch teased the media with the news of a four-place airplane, but decided to make the official announcement during AERO Friedrichshafen 2011 a few weeks later in Germany. Flight Design is a Germany-based company.
“Friedrichshafen is a great place to introduce the latest offering from Flight Design,” said Betsch.
The four-place has low empty weight and high payload, he said, noting it is predicted to have an empty weight of 1,320 with a gross-weight of 2,640. “It will hold real sized Americans,” he said. “We have had people 6 feet, 7 inches in the back seat.”
Wingspan of the four-place, which will be made from carbon fiber, is 32 feet, which puts it on par with four-place Cessna aircraft. The cockpit is expected to measure 51 inches across.
Company officials note that there will be a European version of the airplane with a diesel engine. The American model will have a more U.S. friendly engine.
The avionics panel has not been determined, although both Garmin and Dynon products are being discussed, according to company officials.
Company officials are inviting the airplane-buying public to weigh in on what they want in the airplane by taking a survey at FlightDesign.com/lead/c4survey.php
On April 22, Peghiny stated, “The target price for the fully equipped C4 with glass panel, constant speed prop and parachute system is $250,000.”
For more information: FlightDesign.com