E-I-C Note: The Aero-TV Team --
Jim, Tom, Nathan, Paul, The
'Other' Jim, Ashley, Birgit, Wes, Klyde, Anjin, and the rest of the
aero-gnomes -- want to wish you Happy Holidays while we
all pursue our own various and sundry holiday diversions. Our
regular daily webcasting schedule will resume promptly on Monday,
January 3rd, 2011. In the meantime, please enjoy this 'classic'
episode of Aero-TV from the past year as we all
recover from our various and sundry Christmas/New
Year's celebrations...
At the 2010 Sport Aviation Expo, Flight Design introduced
enthusiastic media and dealer network partners to the all-new
Flight Design MC. Created using aluminum, steel, and composites,
the MC aircraft is one of the first LSA all-metal models to hit the
market. Designed specifically with the light sport pilot in mind,
engineers used state-of-the-art programs to create a rugged, yet
comfortable aircraft for both private owners and flight
schools.
Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Flight Design engineers
constructed the MC using solid rivet construction featuring zinc
chromate coating to provide extended corrosion resistance. The
structure was subjected to both static and complete flight-testing,
receiving both ASTM-FAA Light Sport Aircraft certification and
German LFT-BfU certification. Several safety improvements are
featured in the final aircraft including a welded steel safety cage
with CAD design crumple zones to keep the cabin intact and
four-point pilot harnesses. In addition, each aircraft comes
standard with a ballistic parachute system.
Though heavier than the standard composite aircraft, the MC
features a long fuselage combined with a conventional
stabilizer-elevator for exceptional dampening and pitch stability
to provide smooth flight and easy landings. Urethane polymer shock
absorbers in the nose gear provide high dampening; the composite
main gear absorbs more than 50% of the energy on the first
bounce.
Other prominent features include a 52" wide cabin for
exceptional comfort, 110lbs of baggage storage capability, and
advanced winglets for reduced induced drag, improved climb and
cruising range, and aileron control at low speeds. Each aircraft
comes standard with the Rotax 912UL engine, with optional upgrade
to the 912ULS 100-horsepower engine. Flight Design estimates a slow
production ramp-up in 2010, with two to three aircraft per month.
Join Aero-TV as National Sales Manager, John Gilmore, provides more
details on Flight Design’s latest LSA aircraft.