Flight Design
| File:Flight Design Logo.png | |
| Company type | Limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Matthias Betsch |
| Headquarters | Eisenach, |
Number of locations | 2 |
Key people | Daniel Guenther, Managing Director (2019-current) |
| Products | Light aircraft, hang gliders, paragliders |
| Parent | Lift Air |
| Divisions | Flight Design UkraineTemplate:Fix/category[citation needed] |
| Website | www |
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Flight Design General Aviation GmbH (previously known as Flight Design GmbH) is a German aircraft development and manufacturing firm, originally operating from Leinfelden-Echterdingen and Kamenz, now situated in Eisenach.[1]
History
During the 1980s, the company initially produced hang gliders and paragliders, expanding into ultralight aircraft manufacturing by 1993.[1]
The CT series, including the Flight Design CTSW, had its maiden flight in March 1996 and entered production the following year. These aircraft comply with Microlight/Ultralight regulations in numerous countries and are certified under the US Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) standards as well as other jurisdictions adopting ASTM compliance methods. While the original design and engineering took place in Germany, assembly and manufacturing were relocated to Kherson, Ukraine to reduce production expenses.[2]
In February 2011, Flight Design revealed plans for a new four-seat model called the Flight Design C4.[3]
By February 2016, financial difficulties forced the company into receivership due to substantial debt. Knut Rebholz, a legal partner at Mönning & Partner, was appointed interim administrator.[4][5]
In April 2017, cooperating with Vessel Co. from South Korea, Flight Design launched the KLA-100—a new low-wing light aircraft. Despite ongoing financial challenges at that time, AOPA editor Jim Moore highlighted this achievement. However, by mid-2018, this model was no longer listed among active production offerings on the company’s website.[6][7]
In July 2017, ownership of Flight Design’s design division, Kherson manufacturing plant, and all rights to the CT series models (CTSW, CTLS, CTSL Supralight, CTLSi, CTLE) transferred to Lift Air, part of Lift Holding based in Eisenach, Germany. Subsequently, operations relocated to Kindel Airport near Eisenach where final inspections, test flights, and engineering oversight are conducted. Lars Joerges assumed the role of managing director.[8]
At the AERO Friedrichshafen show in April 2019, the reorganised company unveiled two new aircraft models: the two-seat F2 and the four-seat F4. The F4 features a turbocharged Rotax 915iS engine while the F2 is designed as a modular European microlight that will also have an electric variant named F2e. Although development of the four-seat C4 has been paused, it remains an important future objective for Flight Design.[9]
In June 2019, AeroJones Aviation Technology Company—the manufacturer of the CT series—announced plans to establish a new production facility at Dalu General Airport in Zhenjiang, China. This factory is projected to be operational by year-end 2019 with an anticipated workforce of between 200 and 250 employees and an annual output target of approximately 240 CT aircraft tailored for the Asian market.[10]
Following the onset of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Flight Design temporarily ceased operations at its Kherson plant and issued communication to Ukrainian employees detailing intentions to expand production capacities in the Czech Republic while offering relocation opportunities to affected staff.[11] In early 2024, production efforts were supplemented through a partnership with Virazh in Almaty, Kazakhstan.[12][13]
Aircraft
| Model | Maiden Flight | Production Quantity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTLS | 2006 | over 1800 | Long-range cruiser classified as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), featuring a high-wing design, microlight/sport category, accommodating two occupants |
| C4 | 2015 | currently under development | Designed for four seats |
| CTSL-Supralight | 2013 | Ultralight aircraft with a high-wing configuration, microlight/sport classification, seating two passengers | |
| MC | 2008 | Metal Concept model, high-wing microlight/sport aircraft designed for two seats | |
| CTSW | 2003 | Known as CT Short Wing, this high-wing microlight/sport aircraft accommodates two occupants | |
| CTLE | 2010 | CT Law Enforcement variant, a high-wing microlight/sport aircraft with two seats | |
| CTHL | 2010 | Composite construction, two-seat high-wing microlight/sport aircraft | |
| CT2K | 1999 | Composite Technology model, featuring a high-wing layout in the microlight/sport category for two occupants | |
| KLA-100 | 2017 | Low-wing light aircraft designed for two seats | |
| F2 | 2019 | Composite-built, high-wing light sport aircraft with two seats | |
| F2e | 2019 | Electric-powered, composite high-wing light sport aircraft seating two passengers | |
| Rigid wing hang glider available in single or two-seat configurations | |||
| Single-seat rigid wing hang glider | |||
| Paraglider model | |||
| Paraglider design | |||
| Paraglider type | |||
| Two-seat paraglider configuration |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, pages 16, 44 & 140. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- ↑ Hunt, Adam: One of aviation’s best kept secrets - Flight Design CT2K – Flight report, COPA Flight page C-1. Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, October 2004
- ↑ Pew, Glenn (February 2011). "Flight Design's Four Seater". AvWeb. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
- ↑ Flight Design. "Flight Design Filing For Receivership For Restructuring". flightdesign.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
- ↑ AVweb. "Sport Aviation Showcase: AeroJones Expands Flight Design". avweb.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
- ↑ "www.aopa.org - news". 4 May 2017.
- ↑ Flight Design (2017). "Products". www.flightdesign.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- ↑ Grady, Mary (26 July 2017). "Flight Design Under New Ownership". AVweb. Retrieved 31 July 2017.Template:Fix/category[dead link]
- ↑ Bertorelli, Paul (10 April 2019). "Aero: Flight Design Announces New F2 And F4 Models". AVweb. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- ↑ O'Connor, Kate (13 June 2019). "Plans Finalized For New CTLS Factory". AVweb. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ↑ Hirschman, Dave (2 March 2022). "Aircraft Manufacturers With Facilities In Ukraine Under Threat". Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ↑ "Kazakh–German Venture to Produce Ultralight Aircraft in Almaty - Qazaqstan Monitor". qazmonitor.com. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ↑ Ualikhanova, Aruzhan (23 August 2024). "German Companies Expand Investment Presence in Kazakhstan - The Astana Times". The Astana Times. Retrieved 23 August 2024.