The Precursors Of Longevity
March 16, 2010
Modern life, especially in our wonderful country, places a powerful premium on achieving top dog status. *** I've had a pet notion for many years that the Academy Awards should give over trying to pick one best picture/actor/actress/director etc. and just give the five or ten nominees Oscars for being the best of the year. *** I feel the same about LSA: achieving, then maintaining numero uno status is often a fruitless chase. One bad sales year and you're number three. God a'mighty! Not number three! *** Of course, you could be clever like the AVIS rent-a-car CEO who made his company number one by extolling the virtues of a company always striving to be the best: ( "We're #2: We Try Harder!") *** BTW, that CEO had the largest single-masted yacht in the world built for him . It towers 292 feet high and charters for $375,000 per week! You could hide a double-decker British bus inside its hull. *** BTW2: Somebody just built one that's even bigger. That means former Mr. Avis's boat is now... #2. *** Oh, the irony. *** Back to LSA: If you're shopping for a light sport airplane, of course you'll check out the market leaders. There's always a sense of "safety" in numbers. *** Of course, sales numbers can lie. Look at one of the best sellers, the Zodiac 601XL and 650 models. They've had several fatal in-flight structural failures. *** Not to pick on them: AMD and Zenith Air, producers of the SLSA and kit versions of the Zodiac, have been working very responsibly at correcting the problems. *** My point is this: it takes a huge commitment to successfully build and market a safe and attractive airplane, then to support your customers through thick and thin. *** And even then there's no guarantee you'll achieve number one status, or stay there for long. *** Personally, I'm more interested in the actions a company takes to stay viable in the crowded, economically challenged, ever-changing market place. *** I want to know that a company takes care of its customers. *** To whit, my "one of the best" Oscars to Flight Design. Yes, it's been the overall market leader for the last several years, though that status is challenged daily by 105 other competing designs. *** But it has endured for, I think, one primary reason: the company, both its German parent and the U.S. HQ, has never felt content to rest on its laurels.
*** Of course, that concept begins and ends with quality airplanes. *** The CT line has been a worldwide and U.S. winner for years. *** And the new all-metal MC, (look for my flight report in the next issue of Plane & Pilot), looks to be another success. *** ------ photo: Flight Design MC *** Flight Design airplanes are beautifully engineered and built. They perform well throughout the entire LSA speed regime and are comfortable and enjoyable to fly. *** But a company ultimately rises or falls on the dynamics of its leadership. *** Tom Peghiny, Flight Design USA's Prez, is known in the industry as a dead-serious company leader who understands the key elements to staying at the top of the heap: marketing strategies that emphasize the strengths of your product, maintaining a lean, mean profile during tough economic times, and growing a nationwide training/service/repair infrastructure that supports customers once they've bought your airplane. *** Two recent news items make my case. I'll summarize, and you can follow the links below:
- *** Flight Design's new "Transition Syllabus". Key Concept: five hour instruction aimed at thoroughly transitioning existing GA pilots to LSA flight; free to new CTLS buyers; available through CT-qualified flight instructors for all models of the CT line.
- *** The CTLS "Lite", a new version of the top-performing mainstay of the company's product line. Key phrases: $20,000 lower price; higher payload (through a reduction of more than 50 lbs. of non-structural airframe weight and slimmed-down avionics packages).
*** Being Numero Uno is important. It takes great airplanes to lead the pack, and there are many exciting, well-built models out there from several companies such as Remos, American Legend, Cessna, Piper, Tecnam and many many more . ***
So give me a good airplane, of course,but also give me a company that's in it to win it: not top dog status alone, but an abiding respect from the marketplace that's reflected in steady sales, year after year.
March 9, 2009 - Flight Design 'Flight Line' E-news; Issue 1, 2009
Click here to read the complete newsletter
Flight Design Logs Productive 2008
Surveys Largest LSA Owner Group in America
December 10, 2008
Even in one of the toughest years on record for the whole of the American economy Flight Design USA, importer for the Flight Design line of aircraft, reports sales of more than 70 CT-series aircraft in 2008.
"We were very pleased at the reception of our new top of the line model, the CTLS, said Flight Design USA president, Tom Peghiny. We made a decision in 2007 to keep the CT series at the forefront of technology for Light Sport Aircraft by only selling it completely equipped. The CTLS comes standard with dual Dynon glass panel instruments, the Garmin 496 and the BRS parachute system." Customers responded very positively, the company reported, propelling sales to an admirably strong finish.
"Sales of our legacy model, the CTsw were also good," Peghiny continued. "Our dealers had them in stock and a more affordable price plus the great useful load of that model helped us get more people into the air, too. We led the overall registration of new Light Sport Aircraft again in 2008 for the fourth year in a row." Part of that success is due to a growing network of Flight Design representatives. The importer lists more than 30 dealers and flight schools associates nationwide.
In a few weeks, starting January 22nd, 2009, the LSA industry will gather in Sebring, Florida for the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo. "We will debut the CTLS factory equipped with the new Garmin 696," said Peghiny. In addition he explained the Connecticut-based importer has been working to increase the U.S. content on Flight Design aircraft to allow easier service in the field.
Flight Design USA recently completed an Owners Satisfaction survey to find out how the company is evaluated by their customers. "The response was great," exclaimed Peghiny! More than 90% of Flight Design owners were either "Satisfied" or "Very Satisfied" with the value, performance and service they received with their purchase of a Flight Design Light-Sport Aircraft.
Flight Design USA is the U.S. importer of the CT series from Germany. The company has succeeded in delivering more than 240 aircraft to its network of distributors and dealers. One of the first Light-Sport Aircraft certified under ASTM standards, the carbon fiber CT is the best-selling LSA in America. More than 1,000 CT models are flying around the globe.
Flight Designs newest creation
unveiled at Oshkosh
The new MC is here!!
and will be available In
late January 2010.
Click here for Photos of the MC
Already leading the LSA market by a healthy margin, Flight sought to increase its lead with yet another brand-new model. The German-based company unveiled its MC (Metal Concept) at AirVenture 2008 amid opening day excitement at a ceremony on AeroShell Square. Just seven months ago, Flight design debuted it nose-to-tail new CTLS at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo.
“We’ve been asking our people to work very hard with two new major projects released in rapid succession,” said Flight Design CEO Mathias Betsch, “and our Flight Design team rose to the task with two excellent Light-Sport Aircraft, the CTLS first and now the MC.” The development team worked for 36 months, while the company maintained a veil around the project. MC uses the same efficient airfoil as on the top-of-the-line CTLS complete with the advanced winglet design revealed earlier in 2008.
Flight Design’s new MC use aluminum for the fuselage, wings, and tail, with carbon fiber used on the nose cowl and a complete steel internal fuselage for great strength in a highly durable design. A welded steel safety cell securely surrounds the occupants. MC also comes standard with a whole airframe emergency parachute system, just like all Flight Design Light-Sport Aircraft.
MC has a spacious cabin measuring an enormous 51.6 inches (more than 12 inches wider than common General Aviation training aircraft). Generous windows bring panoramic views. “Flight instructors will enjoy the extra room and the broad visibility while instructing, and flight school owners will love the 4-5 gallon per hour fuel consumption. “We also know school operators like a airframe construction they are used to maintaining and repairing,” noted Betsch.
Other MC specifications include: maximum cruise 115 knots: take-off run 780 feet; range 500 nautical miles on 25.4 gallons; and useful load 525 pounds (depending on equipment selection). MC is available with the Classic and Advanced instrument panel options similar to the CT line.
“As is our policy, the MC is fully ready and will enter production immediately with deliveries in the first quarter 2010,” Betsch added. “We have been preparing our facilities to add the MC to the CT line, which continues for both models.”
“We’re calling this model the 2009 MC to signal that this product joins our CT series as new model for delivery to the public starting 2009,” state Tom Peghiny, president of Flight Design USA, the national importer that sells through a chain of distributors and dealers across America. Orders will be accepted starting at AirVenture 2008 that involve a non-refundable deposit of $7,000.00. This deposit benefits early customers by assuring a secure U.S. dollar price that will not move upward if the dollar sinks in relation to the euro.
Flight Design is a 22-year-old air sport products producer based in Germany. Over 1,000 of its aircraft are flying in 25 countries. One of the first aircraft certified under the American ASTM standards, in 2005, the CT (“composite technology”) remains the best-selling LSA in America. CT in several models has been popular in Germany and Europe for more than twelve years.
Flight Design Unveils Second New LSA in 2008
July 28, 2008
A metal (aluminum over steel) LSA from Flight Design, the all-new MC resembles the top-of-the-line CTLS but offers even more cabin room and easy entry. Flight Schools have said they like an easily-repaired metal aircraft for flight instruction.
OSHKOSH UPDATE -- At a ceremony on EAA AirVenture's show-center location, AeroShell Square, Flight Design unveiled another new LSA, their second of 2008, the first being the CTLS which debuted at Sebring in January. Amid opening day excitement, numerous media representatives captured photos and video. A large crowd surrounded the MC when Flight Design CEO Matthias Betsch and U.S. importer Tom Peghiny took the stage. After a few words of introduction and on cue from Betsch, Flight Design representatives removed a parachute canopy used to hide the MC from view. *** The MC -- for Metal Concept -- is similar in appearance to the CTLS but is constructed mainly of aluminum skin over a welded steel structure that provides great durability and occupant protection. Flight Design expects the MC will have strong appeal to flight schools. Cockpit entry is even easier thanks to a lower threshold and a door that reaches well forward. At 51.6 inches, the cockpit is among the widest of all LSA. *** MC is available with 80- or 100-hp Rotax 912 and analog instruments or a digital flat-screen display (glass) cockpit. Base price is $98,000; nicely equipped for $113,000. Flight Design teams in Germany and Ukraine worked on the new design
Eleven years after the first CT entered production in June 1997, the Flight Design Team is  introducing their new CTLS. Pilots will easily recognize the similarity to preceding CT models, yet the changes are many as the new LS model addresses customer requests over the last two years. Flight Design, the clear market leader in Europe and the United States, has proven that the company knows how to satisfy customer expectations.
The LS offers the utmost in space, comfort, performance and ease of flying so that less experienced pilots can fly it easily. The aerodynamic qualities of the CTLS were completely reworked using full-size wind tunnel tests and flight evaluations employing the newest data recording equipment.
In the LS interior, the seats have been redesigned and the noise level reduced to underline the long range capability of the CTLS. The cabin has been resculpted to add volume and light. The engine installation and fuel system have been reworked according newest market experience and know how. New construction materials have improved durability and outside weather resilience.
As corporate policy, Flight Design never presents a new airplane until it is fully certified and ready for delivery. The CTLS will be debuted at the 2008 Sebring Expo in Florida, USA on January 17th and at similar dates in different countries around the world. The CTLS will be at that time certified as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft fully meeting ASTM standards and the German BFU/LTF-UL rule.
Augmented not replaced, the CTSW model will be continuously built. For more pictures Click Here To view the new color and graphic designs Click here
Flight Design Delivers 200th CT in USA
August 28, 2007
 The father and son Tom Gutmann team (L-R, Junior and Senior) run Airtime Aviation, one of the country's largest distributors of LSA. The new customer and dealer for New Mexico is Brian Longwill, a 767 captain and F-15/16 pilot. They all pose with CT number 200 in the USA.
Market leader Flight Design seems hot as a pistol and appears to be validating their plan to substantially increase production. South Central U.S. distributor Airtime Aviation delivered N200BL to Brian Longwill, their new dealer operating under the name . And talk about beautiful timing, this also happened to be CT delivery number 50 for Airtime. Putting even a finer point on their accomplishments, Airtime got the first CT approved in the U.S., missing by mere hours being the first SLSA* in the country. *** Longwill AirCraft will base their new CT at a new airport opening in Estancia, New Mexico...east of Albuquerque and south of Moriarty. Longwill aims to attract sport aircraft of all kinds to the facility.
More than 1,000 SLSA Airplanes Registered with FAA
November 7, 2007
October 2007 brought another top finish for Jabiru USA. FAA registrations of J-250 and J-170 led the industry for the second consecutive month contributing to their rise in the ranks. Czech Aircraft Works logged a good increase and moved up in the chart. And, CubCrafters continued their steady climb. *** In a fresh look, this month's chart has more information. Included are the top 20 brands, counting all models by those companies (four manufacturers have multiple certifications). In addition to percentages, this month we also show the number of airplanes registered with FAA. But remember, FAA registrations do not precisely equal deliveries. Finally, due to questions about how their numbers are counted, we omitted weight shift and powered parachute LSA. *** A few observations may add to your own study of this chart. Cub replicas or redesigns from three companies added together would convincingly occupy the #2 slot with 181 registered. Little yellow taildraggers obviously have lots of appeal. And the SkyBoy and Allegro are represented by a related group. Were these two joined, they'd take the #3 spot with 95 total registrations. Finally, high wing designs account for 70% (714 of 1,023) while low wings (and a couple "shoulder wing" designs) take the remaining 30% of registrations.
First LSA Flown Around World; Claims New Record
(Top) Rahul Monga and Anil Kumar, Air Force pilots from India, pose by their Flight Design CT shown against a backdrop of their flight plan map. (R) Monga, in survival suit, made the Atlantic crossing solo to allow more fuel. (L) Icebergs float in the Baffin Sea.
Many other airplane categories have tried round the world flights, but it's now been done by a Light-Sport Aircraft. Flying a Flight Design CT, Indian Air Force Wing Commanders Rahul Monga and Anil Kumar will claim a new record by successfully flying around the world in 79 days. Part of a celebration of the Indian Air Force 75th Anniversary, the two pilots covered a total distance of 40,497 kilometers (25,310 miles) in 79 days flying over 19 countries (Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Russia, USA, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, UK, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and India).*** During the expedition, Commander Monga became part of very small group of pilots by soloing across the Atlantic in a single engine aircraft. Kumar had to go via airline so the CT could fly longer. Despite missing this exciting segment Kumar expressed appreciation for the CT: "It's a fantastic machine, very reliable...it got us home and there were no problems. We had good support from the manufacturer." *** The duo and their CT weren't far away from AirVenture Oshkosh 2007 but weather had delayed them and they elected to pass the big event in order to stay on the record attempt.
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