LSA Builder Moves Into The Four-Place Arena, Order Book Is Open

Flight Design, which has been building two-place LSA aircraft and has shown some staying power in the LSA market, has released the specs for its planned four-place C4 airplane. The data was presented Thursday in Germany at the AERO Friedrichshafen air show.

As ANN reported in February, Flight Design plans to have a proof-of-concept airplane on display at AirVenture this summer. The design process was opened to public comments by the company, allowing potential buyers and pilots to let the engineers know what they thought would make for a good airplane.

What they came away with was a four-place composite aircraft powered by a normally-aspirated Continental IO-360 engine developing 180 hp @ 2400 rpm. There is also an option for a Centurion turbocharged diesel engine developing 150 hp @ 2300 rpm. The gasoline engine burns about 10.4 gallons per hour at 75% cruise, while the diesel will use just under 6 gallons per hour at 75% power.

Flight Design plans to equip the C4 with a Garmin G1000 suite or similar avionics, or the Dynon SkyView suite. Both would include traffic and terrain avoidance, along with weather depiction and avoidance technology.

The C4 will have an empty weight of 1,320 pounds and maximum take-off weight of 2,640 pounds. A full fuel load is 70 gallons. The projected range for the gasoline engine is 1,200 nm at 65% power, and 1,700 nm at 75% power with the Centurion engine. It is projected to get off the ground in 1,312 feet and climb at 984 ft/min. The landing gear is single-beam composite with hydraulic disc brakes and a fully steerable nosewheel.

Flight Design has applied for certification from EASA, and FAA certification is expected through reciprocity. First deliveries are planned for 2012 or 2013.

Flight Design says the airplane is expected to cost about 220,000 Euros, depending on VAT and equipment, but has not set a price for the U.S. market. However, a delivery slot can be reserved now for $7,000.

FMI: www.flightdesignusa.com