Announces The Vision Touch Avionic Suite On The C4

By Tom Woodward

Flight Design had several interesting announcement at their press conference Tuesday morning at AirVenture.

First, Flight Design's introduction of the Rotax 912 iS Sport in their CTLS series of airplanes. The 912 iS Sport is a further improvement on the fuel injected 912 engine series launched in 2012. The iS produces the same horsepower as the 912 but with higher torque and reduced fuel consumption.

Flight, Designed also announced that they are working with KARI, Korean Aircraft Research Initiative, using a CS as an UAS (Unmanned Aerial System). The CS model has been ordered by a California Police department as an aerial platform for police work. They have now sold about four aircraft for this use and expect to sell more.

In addition Flight Design has partnered with Able Flight to provide scholarship programs to disabled individual who wish to learn to fly. They recently graduated a class of pilots, some who were paraplegic and even quadriplegic. Congratulations to the graduates!

Flight Design is proceeding quickly with their C4 model, four-place certified airplane airplane. The C4 with be guided by two 10.5 inch Garmin G3X flight screens and powered by a Continental IO-360A ('A' for Alternate Fuel) engine producing 180 horsepower. The C4 will integrate a full airplane parachute system, push rod control system, and large and convenient doors for easy entrance. The cabin will be 54" wide and a dramatic skylight roof. Flight Design is leading the industry in passenger protection and has designed a 'Safety Box' around the occupants, not unlike a race car. Targeted areas of the fuselage have been reinforced to offer unparalleled protection and Flight Design hopes this will be the standard of the LSA industry in the future.

Oliver Reinhardt, Flight Design's Technical Director was honored by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) with the Presidents Award. The purpose of the ASTM President’s Leadership Award is to acknowledge individuals who, early in their ASTM career, have significantly advanced the Society’s mission through extraordinary accomplishment, example, and vision. The Award signifies the promise of continued success of ASTM International, made possible through the inspiration and positive contributions of new volunteers.

Flight Design is scheduled to open their US factory next month and have broken ground in Newport, Vermont

When asked how the delay of the FAA part 23 rules would affect the progress of the C4, Mr. Reinhardt stated "Not at all. The C4 and Flight Design would be happy to be the Guinea Pig for the implementation of the Part 23 rules." A further question about the stability of the Ukrainian factory and their employees, due to these tumultuous times in that region was answered by Mr Reinhardt by replying that he was concerned about his employees, whom he referred to more as his friends and Flight Design has taken the necessary precautions to move people to a safe location.

(Top images from file. Lower image of C4 POC airplane provided by Flight Design)

FMI: www.flightdesign.com