"All-New" CTLS Reveals Many Upgraded Features
How time flies... Barely eleven years after the first CT entered
production in June 1997, the Flight Design Team is introducing
their latest bird... the new 'CTLS.' Similar to the preceding CT
models, the changes are cosiderable since the new LS model was
designed to address customer requests from the last two years.
Despite the addition of numerous equipment items the CTLS is
just 5-7 lbs heavier than an Advanced CTSW with the same
equipment.
"Our LS offers the utmost in space, comfort, performance and
ease of flying so that less experienced pilots can fly it easily,"
said Matthias Betsch, CEO of Flight Design GmbH. The aerodynamic
qualities of the CTLS were completely reworked using full-size wind
tunnel tests and flight evaluations employing the newest data
recording equipment.
"With the LS, Flight Design's team achieved an easier handling,
easier to fly airplane with improved performance," reported U.S.
importer Tom Peghiny after flying a prototype. "The new landing
gear offers not only energy absorbing characteristics, but has a
high level of dampening to reduce rebound after touchdown."
In the LS interior, the seats have been redesigned and the noise
level reduced to underline the long range capability of the CTLS.
The cabin has been resculpted to add volume and light. The engine
installation and fuel system have been reworked according newest
market experience and know how. New construction materials have
improved durability and outside weather resilience. As corporate
policy, Flight Design never presents a new airplane until it is
fully certified and ready for delivery.
"The Flight Design team has worked in close cooperation with its
partners around the world for two years on the concept,
development, testing and certification of the CTLS," explained
Oliver Reinhardt, Technical Director of Flight Design. The CTLS
will be debuted at the 2008 Sebring Expo in Florida, USA on January
17th and at similar dates in different countries around the world.
The CTLS will be at that time certified as a Special Light-Sport
Aircraft fully meeting ASTM standards and the German BFU/LTF-UL
rule.
"Serial production of the CTLS started in mid-November 2007 and
Flight Design began accepting 2008 orders from its worldwide
representatives," said Betsch. "Starting in January 2008
demonstrator airplanes will be available in many countries."
Augmented not replaced, the CTSW model will be continuously
built in the existing configuration. "We especially believe the
extremely lightweight CTSW Classic Light model will prove very
popular in the future," added Betsch.
Flight Design is a 21-year-old air sport products producer based
in Germany. More than 1,000 of its aircraft are flying in 25
countries. One of the first aircraft certified under the American
ASTM standards, in 2005, the CT ("composite technology") is
currently the best-selling LSA in America.