Company Taking 'Early Bird' Orders For The New Airplane

When the full-size mockup of Flight Design's first-ever four seat aircraft was unveiled at Aero in Friedrichshafen, Germany in mid-April this year, the  company logged 30 orders in the four-day event.

As EAA's AirVenture Oshkosh show approaches, the C4 has landed in America and will be presented as a full scale mockup. The company plans to announce initial C4 component supplier partners and provide a C4 program update at their press conference and luncheon at the show. The airplane's initial design specifications, to be validated during the development process, predict a useful load of 1,320 pounds or 50% of maximum take-off weight of 2,640 pounds, and max cruise speed of 160 knots (184 mph) at 6,000 feet MSL. The C4's fuel tanks will hold 70 gallons, providing a range of 1,200 nm with a conventional avgas powerplant at 65% power and up to 1,700 nm with the planned optional diesel engine using Jet A fuel.

The C4's cabin features a total of three entry doors - including one on the left that hinges aft - plus an external baggage door. The interior volume measures 52 inches of cabin width in front and 47 inches for rear seat occupants with plenty of headroom and storage. "We have had computerized passenger figures taller than 6 feet 7 inches fit easily in the back seat of our concept cabin," said John Doman, Flight Design's Director of Business Development, Global Sales & Marketing.

Flight Design plans to certify the C4 to several international standards including FAA's. "At the same time we intend to improve our capability in global service and support, further expanding our leadership in these areas," said Flight Design CEO Matthias 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 (DOA) that permits Flight Design to progress on their own schedule without the need for time consuming and costly step-by-step involvement from EASA.

"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," said  Betsch. "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 will be taking special C4 "Early Bird" orders, which provide customers a delivery position in the first 100 serial-produced aircraft plus a $10,000 discount from the already attractive list price. Depositing US $7,000 secures a C4 "Early Bird" order with deposits being accepted at EAA AirVenture or online via credit card at. They are also conducting an online survey regarding design features of C4, and all participants will be entered into a drawing for a Garmin aera 500 GPS as a grand prize.

"We are offering a very well-equipped C4, complete with a modern glass avionics suite and standard airframe parachute recovery system at a not-to-exceed price of US $250,000 for the American market," noted Doman. First deliveries are planned for early 2013.

FMI: www.flightdesignusa.com