Price set for Flight Design C4

Flight Design’s new four-place plane, the C4, is being marketed with a global view. Customers will be able to choose from two engine options to best suit fuel availability and cost in their areas — a traditional aviation engine capable of running on auto fuel, or a turbo diesel engine operating on Jet A. And, as the world trades in multiple currencies, C4 will be priced both in European Union euros and U.S. dollars, reflecting market-based pricing in these two primary selling areas for the new aircraft, company officials said.

The company’s C4 was introduced last month at Aero 2011 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. “We are offering ground-breaking value for a very well-equipped C4, at the time of delivery in 2013, at a target price of US $250,000 for the American market and €220.000 for Europe and the rest of the world outside the U.S.,” said John Doman, Director of Business Development, Global Sales & Marketing for Flight Design.

Flight Design plans to announce the engine and avionics selections for the C4 as suppliers are confirmed. “During Aero, meetings were held with prospective suppliers of engines, avionics, propellers and other components for the C4, with final selection of our supply partners to be announced by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July of 2011,” Doman stated.

More than 30 C4 orders were taken at the Aero event as part of the special “Early Bird” C4 incentive order program, he added. Early Bird orders and deposits are still being accepted online or through Flight Design’s worldwide network of dealers.

Subject to flight test confirmation, C4 design specifications include: Employing high-tech materials like carbon fiber, useful load is 600 kilograms (1,320 pounds) or 50% of maximum takeoff weight of 1,200 kilograms (2,640 pounds); max cruise speed is projected at 160 knots (184 mph)@6,000 feet MSL. Range is 1,200 nautical miles with the avgas powerplant at 65% power and 1,700 nautical miles with the diesel engine at 55% power. Fuel tanks hold 265 liters (70 U.S. gallons).

“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.”

Click the following link to participate in an online survey regarding design features of C4. 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 ensuring compliance with both EASA and FAA regulations. “At the same time we intend to expand our capability in global service and support, further enhancing 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 that permits Flight Design to progress on their own schedule with only oversight monitoring from EASA, eliminating costly and time-consuming delays.

Flight Design is a 24-year-old air-sport products producer based in Germany. The company remains a 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. Flight Design sold the first LSA to India and was the first LSA to earn Chinese Type Design Approval.

For more information: FlightDesignUSA.com