FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Great News for Flight Schools, Permit-to-Fly Operators and More

Friedrichshafen, GERMANY (AERO Fair) / 18 April 2012 —As a means of demonstrating the company’s commitment to excellence, Flight Design is exceedingly pleased to announce they have shown compliance and have been granted, just prior to the start of AERO, the EASA Restricted Type Certificate , (R)TC, for their CTLS Light Sport Aircraft. The issuance of the actual Restricted Type Certificate for the aircraft through EASA is now an administrative formality and will occur within the next few days.

“Validation by outside, independent organizations provides our customers with a high level of assurance our aircraft are engineered and built to the highest standards,” said Matthias Betsch, CEO of Flight Design GmbH. “Having EASA now declare our successful completion and demonstration of compliance by our EASA-approved Design Organization was demanding and a high bar to clear, but we are fortunate to have a very talented staff, led by Technical Director, Oliver Reinhardt, who have helped Fight Design forge a strong and trusting relationship with the European Aviation Safety Agency and our growing family of customers.”

“For Flight Design enthusiasts around the world, the (R)TC gives additional proof that Flight Design is a leading manufacturer of light aircraft,” noted John Doman, Director of Business Development, Global Sales & Marketing for Flight Design GmbH. “For European flight schools and pilots flying aircraft under Permit-to-Fly rules, the (R)TC will enable additional aircraft utilization leading to more revenue and value for their purchase of a Flight Design (R)TC aircraft.” The Type Certificated version of the CTLS will be distributed under the variant name CTLS-ELA and is nearly identical to the best-selling CTLS-LSA marketed throughout the world. Compliance has been shown against EASA CS-LSA which makes wide use of the established ASTM requirements for Light Sport Aircraft, which are accepted in the USA, Europe and many other countries throughout the world.

FACTS ABOUT FLIGHT DESIGN GmbH

Flight Design is a 24-year-old manufacturer based in Germany. The company remains the worldwide Light-Sport Aircraft market leader thanks to its popular CT series of aircraft. More than 1,800 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 seven consecutive years. Flight Design’s new XP Warranty adds significant value for owners and pairs with the best service center network in the LSA industry. Flight Design sold the first LSA to India and was the first LSA to earn Chinese Type Design Approval. Three times a CT has been flown around the world. In 2011, and the German company unveiled its C4 four seat aircraft based on the CT technology.

Fuel-Injected 912iS Powerplant Has Many Advantages   

Leinfelden-Echterdingen, GERMANY / 9 March 2012 — Flight Design is pleased to be among the first to feature the new fuel-injected 912iS powerplant from Rotax Aircraft Engines in its just-introduced CTLSi. As the leader in the LSA segment, Flight Design is in a long-term partnership with the BRP-Powertrain distribution network.

“With fuel injection, Rotax has leaped forward allowing our new CTLSi model to achieve even more,” said Flight Design USA President Tom Peghiny. “Carburetors demand more mechanical oversight and tuning the dual carbs increases complexity. With fuel injection, balancing carbs is no longer necessary. Pilots will find increased torque, easier starting, and smoother operation. Carb ice concerns becomes a thing of the past.”

Fuel injection is more precise allowing better efficiency at lower pollution levels thanks to a computer chip that constantly optimizes the air-to-fuel ratio. The new Rotax 912iS in the CTLSi has much improved fuel and CO² emissions, with data showing how much better versus the 912S and Continental O-200, Lycoming IO-233 and Jabiru.  Most of the regular carburetors must be adjusted periodically, which also demands training. Fuel injection is more reliable and automatically compensates for altitude, which reduces pilot work load.

Using signals from several sensors fuel injection monitors engine vacuum, exhaust gas temperature, ambient air pressure, incoming air temperature, liquid coolant temperature, and throttle position to self adjust for engine condition and atmospheric conditions.

“As the LSA market leader, we are pleased to put the Rotax 912iS into production on our CTLSi” saidJohn Gilmore, National Sales Manager for Flight Design USA. “However, for customers who prefer the advantages of carbureted systems this lower cost option will continue to be available.”

The CTLSi is available for immediate order with first deliveries in mid-2012. For more details be sure to visit the the Flight Design space at the Sun ‘n Fun airshow March 27 to April 1, 2012 in the Manufacturer’s Display Area, space MD-17.

FACTS ABOUT FLIGHT DESIGN GmbH

Flight Design is a 24-year-old manufacturer based in Germany. The company remains the worldwide Light-Sport Aircraft market leader thanks to its popular CT series of 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 seven consecutive years. Flight Design’s new XP Warranty adds significant value for owners and pairs with the best service center network in the LSA industry. Flight Design sold the first LSA to India and was the first LSA to earn Chinese Type Design Approval. Three times a CT has been flown around the world. In 2011, the German company unveiled its C4 four seat aircraft based on the CT technology.

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Strong Warranty Expected to Stimulate New Aircraft Sales

Leinfelden-Echterdingen, GERMANY / 16 January 2012 – In a strong move to assure its customers gain added value with the purchase of a new aircraft (CTLS, MC or new four seater C4), German producer Flight Design has significantly improved its warranty program, calling it the XP or eXtended Protection Warranty. The Warranty is even applied retroactively.

“Since the beginning we have focused on delivering value to our customers,” began Flight Design USA President Tom Peghiny. “We have a solid group of highly-trained service outlets and we have an ongoing program to assure customers get the information to maintain their aircraft to high standards. To that we now add one of the best warranties in aviation.” Read the rest of this entry »