The first production Flight Design F2-LSA to reach the U.S. was recently inspected by an FAA representative and has been issued a certificate of airworthiness as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft.
The F2-LSA is the new high-end edition to the existing line of Flight Design aircraft, complementing the CTLS and CT-Super Sport models.
From the Flight Design website: “The F2 was designed specifically for CS-23 certification and to meet the ASTM F3180 low-speed flight characteristics of fixed-wing aircraft standard for departure characteristics, spinning, and stall warning. Sculpted winglets reduce induced drag, improve climb and cruising range. The smooth cantilever strutless wing also reduces drag and allows maximum visibility from the cockpit.”
The 51-inch-wide cabin will fit pilot/passenger heights from 5 foot, 1 inch, to 6 foot, 6 inches. It boasts full dual controls and a center located single lever throttle quadrant, according to Flight Design officials.
The F2 also includes panel-mounted airbags and an airframe parachute.
“We are very happy to take part in this event, which we’ve been waiting for for nearly two years,” said Tom Gutmann Jr. of Airtime Aviation. “We are excited to receive the first F2-LSA in the USA and we are very impressed by the improvements made by Flight Design.”
“This is an important day for our company, our customers, and our dealers,” added Tom Peghiny, president of Flight Design USA. “The F Series is a big step up for Flight Design and this is just the first of many F2 series airplanes that will come to the USA.”
The Flight Design F series of aircraft include the F2-LSA, the F2-UL, which is a German Ultralight, the F2 CS-23, which is a certified version that is currently being reviewed by EASA in Europe and, soon, the F4, which is the four-place version of F series.
The inspection aircraft is owned by a pilot from the Milwaukee area and will be delivered at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021.
250 to 350 thousand dollar airplanes does not help general aviation with projected sales of 50 to 100 planes a year only the very wealthy have that kind of spare cash laying around..
A 100,000 4 seat 140 kt airplane would be a giant step in in the right direction but that will never happen .
Basically the same plane as the older CTLSi from this company (which went bankrupt and reorganized now made in China). Same engine, same airframe, different center console, upgraded avionics, same fragile mains. One of the better SLSAs, but does not anticipate the new regs coming for SLSA which allow speeds up to 140kts and weight up to 1800lbs gross.
The China connection was brief and no longer a thing. Flight Designs are made in Ukraine and Germany like they always have been. The F2 is a big change from other FD models, being designed from the ground up to meet current and future needs/regs. The airframe will indeed be “adjustable” to future speed increases with larger engine and/or variable speed prop etc. The F2 will also become a 4 seater and IFR as well. I have flown all FD models including the F2, and I can tell you it is a step up (or more) from previous designs.