FastEddieB Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 Don't know if this is old news, but it's new to me (via AOPA): LSA maker plans four-place airplane Flight Design, the German company that quickly rose to the top in sales of light sport aircraft in the United States with its CT model, is planning a new four-place aircraft to be offered on the certified market. (Light sport aircraft are limited to two passengers.) Flight Design CEO Matthias Betsch said a four-seat prototype is nearly done and will be introduced at the trade show AERO Friedrichshafen in Germany in early April. It will then be on display at AirVenture this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Fane Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 Old news to some of us. Didn't you ever wonder what the MC and the Hybrid 914 engine development were about? The 4 seater is rumored to be a stretched MC airframe with the 914 turbo / hybrid set up. We'll see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlfpckrs Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Any guesses at the price tag of such an airplane? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N89WD Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 How's bout some pix's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3flyer Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 A new IFR, glass panel 172 runs around $300k, Diamond DA40 CS goes for about $270k and a Piper Archer pushes $310k. With a new CTLS at $140k or so without certification, I'd guess it would be in the $225-$250k range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 This'll be fun... now that the 4-place is "official"... How about a little speculation: High-Wing or low? Engine? Parachute? Single or Twin? Tim ps... we'll know a lot more by April 13, when it is unveiled in Germany. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 I'm guessing a high wing single Lycoming with parachute. If they want to stick with Rotax it would have to be a twin - or a new & bigger Rotax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Fane Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 How about a little speculation: High-Wing or low? Engine? Parachute? Single or Twin? High wing single. Stretched MC airframe with the Rotax 914 / Electric Hybrid engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Is the 914's 115 HP enough for a 4-seater? Smallest C172 has 145 HP. tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 The hybrid part would have to bring it up for take off and climb. It would then cruise on the Rotax. But, I'm not sure it would be a good way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Fane Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Tim, I believe (haven't looked it up so don't hold me to it), that the 115 HP # on the 914 is the max continuous output. Max HP # is close to 130 HP for takeoff, etc. The Flight Design hybrid, also puts a 40 HP electric drive into it, so you could have up to 170 HP, when both are running full. FD Hybrid press release More info on engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Roger, That would do it... then add electronic fuel injection and you've got a real economical cruiser! Predator has been flying with fuel injected 914 since 2001. In reviewing the info on the Hybrid Engine, I found this recent quote about the engine from a top Flight Design person: "Reinhardt says the engine was produced to power a new aircraft currently being developed by Flight Design. He says with an all-new aircraft, they wanted a new power plant. “What we have available on the market, the current engines, are based on technologies from the ’30s and ’40s,” Reinhardt explained to Wired.com. “We must have a proper engine that is fuel-efficient, that is noise-efficient and is economically viable.” Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 How about a diesel? Something similar to the The Diamond D42 Austro TDI? This engine has FADEC, is also used in UAV's. High tech and very efficient. Also, the factory is in Austria. Hmmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 I'm thinking a diesel makes a lot of sense given the dubious future of 100LL and the fact that the majority of the planes will probably be sold in Europe. It will be very interesting to see the next announcements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Jim, good point. I wasn't even thinking about 100LL but it is a major selling point for diesels in aircraft. The TDI that was originally in the Diamond was very quiet. The new Austro should be equal to or better than the original diesel. Seems that I recall it being around 155hp. Perfect size for the new FD 4 place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 I would guess hybrid before diesel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer Steve Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 How about twin 912's like the Technam 2006! http://www.tecnam.net/files/brochures/P2006T.pdf Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 That P2006 is one sweet bird... and should be for close to 1/2 million. Lets hope the 4-place CT shocks everyone with a low price... $200k would do that. I may be dreaming as "certified" = "way mo money" tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Another engine possibility might be the mythical 6 cylinder Rotax... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Official News of the 4-place... from Flight Design USA... now called the "C4". While the aircraft will be "shown" in April, it's apparent that the design and features are still open. FD is soliciting ideas (starting March 1st) at This website. FD is also planning to create "certified" versions of the CTLS and MC. Read more here Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Flight Design C4 - Four Seat Aircraft Questionnaire is now up and running on the FlightDesign website.... Click to go the the survey Tiim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 more info on the C4... High wing, with less of a quick taper into the tail. 150 kts cruise, 1200 nm range, $200-$250K. The prototype will be flying in 2012 and certified by then end of 2012, with production in 2013. The Euro model is said to have a diesel engine. Don't forget, full-size mock-up will be shown April 13, at the AERO show. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3flyer Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 Boy, S3flyer was prophetic on the price: With a new CTLS at $140k or so without certification, I'd guess it would be in the $225-$250k range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airhound Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Metal is all around good/better over a long haul IMO. Hopefully flight characteristics will be more like the 172, and not the old look-kinda-alike Commander-LARK. Fowler Flaps would be nice too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
207WF Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 With FDs ridiculous advertisements for the LS (long 1,000 mile legs, breakfast in new york, lunch in chicago, dinner in denver). I will believe that 1200 mile range when I see it. WF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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