Four-Place Airplane Offers "Exceptional Value," Company
Says
The C4 introduced by German sport aviation company Flight Design
at Aero 2011 in Friedrichshafen this spring now has a price tag
attached. The company says a well-equipped C4 will set owners back
about $250,000, or €220,000. The company says the announcement
of pricing in both currencies points to its global positioning for
the composite-construction four-place airplane, and reflects
market-based pricing in these two primary selling areas for the new
aircraft.
The aircraft will be available with two engine options, a
gasoline powerplant which will burn auto fuel as well as a turbo
diesel which will burn Jet A, allowing buyers to chose the engine
which best suits fuel availability and cost in their areas.
"We are offering ground-breaking value for a very well-equipped C4,
at the time of delivery in 2013," explained John Doman, Director of
Business Development, Global Sales & Marketing for Flight
Design.
Flight Design plans to announce engine and avionics selections
for the C4 as suppliers are confirmed. "During Aero, meetings were
held with prospective suppliers of engines, avionics, propellers
and other components for the C4, with final selection of our supply
partners to be announced by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July of
2011," Doman said. More than 30 C4 orders were taken at the Aero
event as part of the special "Early Bird" C4 incentive order
program.
The preliminary design specs of the C4 are a 1,320 pound useful
load, with MTOW set at 2,640. Max cruise speed is projected at 160
knots (184 mph) at 6,000 feet MSL. Range is projected at 1,200
nautical miles with the avgas powerplant at 65% power and 1,700
nautical miles with the diesel engine at 55% power. Fuel tanks hold
70 U.S. gallons.
The cabin as currently designed is larger than many GA aircraft
with 52 inches of cabin width in front and 47 inches for rear seat
occupants. "We have had people taller than 2 meters (6 feet, 7
inches) in the back seat," observed Doman.
"We want to offer the market a modern technology,
price-efficient aircraft that performs well, is comfortable for
longer flights, and which operates with less fuel expense,"
explained Matthias Betsch (pictured, above), CEO of Flight Design.
"Our ongoing customer surveying shows us that price tops the demand
list from customers and we believe our prices can result in sales
volumes of 200 to 500 aircraft per year."
Flight Design plans to certify the C4 to several international
standards ensuring compliance with both EASA and FAA regulations.
"At the same time we intend to expand our capability in global
service and support, further enhancing our leadership in these
areas," said Betsch. The German company has already passed several
examinations including a LAMA audit, ISO audit, and a review by
TÜV. Recently the company gained EASA Design Organization
Approval that permits Flight Design to progress on their own
schedule with only oversight monitoring from EASA, eliminating
costly and time-consuming delays.
New "Early Bird" orders and deposits are now being accepted online with a credit card,
or through Flight Design's worldwide network of dealers.
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