Leads Market In Both Countries; Outsells 3-5 Place Companies Combined In US

According to government records in each country, Flight Design owns approximately 20% of the market in the two largest aviation nations: the United States and Germany. And, the company says, it has maintained or increased this share over several years.

Elaboration of FAA's aircraft registration database show the German brand has held a dominant portion of the market for the three years that light-sport aircraft have existed, despite an arguable glut of 75 new models of LSA now on the market.

Flight Design states has more than twice the number of registered LSA of its closest competitor, American Legend, and its Cub replica. Flight Design notes it also has more market share than the combined registrations of the third-, fourth-, and fifth-ranked companies -- Evektor, Tecnam, and CubCrafters.

According to figures cited in a noted German flight magazine, the company also holds a significant share of the German market. "Continuously leading the market, Flight Design's market share increased from 15.8% in 2006 to 19.9% in 2007. Flight Design congratulates the German dealers for their exceptional result," said Matthias Betsch, CEO of Flight Design GmbH.

Flight Design notes it has logged more sales in Germany than the second and third most popular brands. This statement carries even more impact, as sport aircraft outnumber general aviation aircraft in Europe by a 4:1 margin -- unlike the US, where the general aviation industry supplies about 80% of all piston aircraft.

Serial production of the larger CTLS started in mid-November 2007, and the company recently shipped its first three CTLS aircraft for the US market, as ANN reported. The German producer also continues to sell its CTSW both in the USA and throughout Europe, where the SW model meets local regulations.

The company is also seeking EASA adoption of the ASTM standards now used to certify light-sport aircraft in the United States, a move that could further open European markets.

FMI: www.flightdesign.com