One of The (Very) Few LSA Success Stories Looks Ahead
I rather look forward to our chats with Flight Design's Tom Peghiny... in that, among all of the LSA community, he can always be counted upon for a bit of good news... and for damned good reason... the Flight Design CT/CTLS series is one of the few unmitigated successes of that confused, embattled industry program.
The Flight Design CTLS is the latest version of the CT -- reportedly optimized for the LSA rules. The CTLS has a carbon fiber airframe -- providing a strong, light and smooth aerodynamic design that offers excellent aerodynamic efficiency. Standard Dynon Glass avionics with Garmin radios allows the use of advanced features like XM weather as well as terrain and moving maps. Flight design also offers the option of the Dynon Skyview panel as well as the new Garmin G3X panel.
Other new features inherent in the design reportedly enhance the ease of maintenance while the fuselage design of the CTLS minimizes drag and maximizes interior width for occupants as well as baggage. The composite landing gear is designed to better absorb hard landings, while a standard BRS parachute system provides an advanced safety feature on every US-delivered CT airplane. The Rotax 912 ULS engine now has a 2000 TBO making for a more efficient cost/benefit decision.
In production since 1997 with over 1500 flying worldwide, the CT's operational flexibility is impressive. For cross country trips, pilots can fill the standard 34 gallon tanks for an 850NM range at full cruise power. Currently; the focus of the CTLS program is on its certification US as a Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) to allow for flight training, lease back and rental uses. Obviously, the R-912's well-known low fuel burn rates and the availability of volume insurance rates make profitable flight school use possible.
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