Flight Design officials are pretty happy after Sun ’n Fun, reporting several sales, including a trend that could suggest anew avenue of growth for Light-Sport Aircraft.
John Gilmore, national sales manager for Flight Design USA, reports that the company’s newest model, the CTLSi, which features the new Rotax 912Si engine, was a hit with distributors, who placed 15 orders for the upgraded aircraft. Beyond support from present dealers, Flight Design USA alos gained interest from several new dealer prospects, a positive change from recent years, he said.
“Reception to the Rotax 912 iS fuel-injected engine on our specially configured CTLSi exceeded even our highest expectations,” said Flight Design USA President Tom Peghiny.
CTLSi is the company’s newest model upgraded to take maximum advantage of the new powerplant. Refinements included a refined fuel system with a header tank in the fuselage to provide for pressurized fuel to the injection system; electric trim was added as standard (CTLS has long had three axis trim), as well as a new lighterweight but more powerful battery and stronger alternator. The new Rotax 912 iS also features redundant, dual injectors per cylinder. Owners of the new CTLSi will find sharply better fuel economy, increased torque, easier starting, and smoother operation, he noted. The CTLSi is available for immediate order with first deliveries in mid-2012.
“In another most interesting announcement, we are pleased to state that 80% of our recent new aircraft customer sales were to new pilots rather than from the existing pilot community,” Peghiny commented. While current pilots have made the company’s aircraft the most popular LSA in America, officials find the emerging trend to freshly licensed pilots as a key development pointing to a new and growing market for LSA.
Following a strong Sebring LSA Expo and an even better Sun ‘n Fun 2012, Flight Design is preparing for a very active show at AERO in Friedrichshafen, Germany to be held April 18-21. The company will unveil its first interior treatment for its C4 four-seat design now in development. Flight Design will also announce achieving EASA Type Certification for their CT series of aircraft, which company officials state is a major accomplishment in terms of future market and product development.
For more information: FlightDesignUSA.com
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