Experienced LSA Manufacturer Introduces All-New Metal Aircraft

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.

FMI: www.flightdesign.com, www.flightdesign.com/index.php?page=product&p=35, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews