Part Two: Talking About The New LH-10 Ellipse

(Tuesday, we published the first ten questions with LH Aviation co-founder Frederic Hubschwerlen on his new company and its new aircraft -- the LH-10 Ellipse. The aircraft debuts this week at the Avia Expo in France. Here, now, is the second part of that interview. --ed.)

ANN: In US Dollars, what is the estimated cost of the Ellipse?

Frederic: The cost of the LH-10 Ellipse kit is not known yet. It will probably be published after the first LH-10 flight.

ANN: Are there any options available to the basic kit?

Frederic: The kit is available in two versions, either fixed or retractable landing gear. The retractable gear version will be the first to fly. Options will include different avionic packages and interior finish styles.

ANN: What is your schedule for US certification of the LH-10 Ellipse?

Frederic: We are currently certifying the LH-10 Ellipse in France. The French kit certification is very demanding, and we are thus assembling a lot of design and testing data to prove the compliance of the MLH-10 Ellipse with a technical code similar to the FAR-23. US and UK certification will start in early 2005.

ANN: What are the weight restrictions for pilot and passenger?

Frederic: Total useful load for the LH-10 Ellipse is 530 lbs. With 13 gal of fuel (2 hours at high speed or 7 at low speed), 450 lbs are left for pilot, passenger and luggage. The only other limit is 265 lbs for the front pilot.

ANN: Will you include dual controls in the LH-10 kit?

Frederic: Dual controls will be standard, with two side sticks, two sets of rudder pedals, two throttle/mixture controls, two flaps and landing gear controls and others… The rear side stick can be easily removed, and the rear flap and landing gear control can be easily disconnected when flying with passengers.

ANN: What avionics will you include in the LH-10 kit?

Frederic: The standard LH-10 kit will include two EFIS screens for flight and engine data, a Com radio, an intercom and according to local regulations standby instruments: speed, altimeter and engine instruments…

ANN: Do you anticipate a follow-on to the LH-10?

Frederic: The LH-10 Ellipse was designed to evolve from the beginning. Depending on the success of the LH-10, we will develop several other versions using the same basic fuselage: an ultralight conforming to the European rules, a motorglider with higher aspect ratio wings, a smaller engine and a fully feathering propeller, and a slower "flying school" version.

ANN: How do customers enter their orders for the LH-10?

Frederic: Our main goal right now is to get the LH-10 flying. We sadly cannot currently take orders.

ANN: What is the financial deposit requirement for purchase of the LH-10?

Frederic: We don’t want to accept money from people before we are fully satisfied with the LH-10 Ellipse prototype. However, if there is enough demand, we could take fully refundable deposits so that people can secure a position in the delivery line. Target delivery time once the production is running will be 2 months.

ANN: What kind of pilot will be most suited to the LH-10?

Frederic: The LH-10 Ellipse is designed for every pilot. If I had to describe the LH-10 Ellipse in one word, it would be versatility. It is the perfect airplane for people who enjoy local flights and sightseeing, thanks to it’s exceptional visibility and low fuel cost. It is also very appealing to long distance travelers thanks to it’s high cruise speed and comfortable cockpit. Sport pilots will simply fall in love with the acceleration and the maniability of the LH-10 Ellipse. And I hope all will like its look!

FMI: www.lhaviation.com