Admin2 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 FLIGHT DESIGN EXPANDS TO KAMENZ, GERMANY Roomy New Facility Brings Together CTLS and Four Seat C4 Kamenz, GERMANY / 1 February 2014 — German Light-Sport Aircraft market leader Flight Design GmbH, also developer of larger aircraft like the four-seat C4, has expanded its operation to Kamenz, Germany and is now fully installed in spacious new quarters . We are now occupying a big hangar plus a smaller structure used for pre-delivery flight testing. The new quarters are located at a former military base, 100 miles (160 km) south of Berlin with a 3,000 foot (1.000 m) paved runway,” noted Flight Design GmbH board member and company director, Christian Wenger. “We are able to use the large hangar to stage finished aircraft after routine production and flight testing is complete. Once approved by engineers, Light-Sport Aircraft and European Ultralight aircraft are prepared for shipment to dealers in other countries or for pick up by European dealers and customers.” Departments include work shops for avionics and engine installation, composite repairs and painting, plus final assembly after receiving major components from another division outside Germany. The Kamenz facility takes over all responsibilities of Flight Design’s former Stuttgart center to further streamline operations, optimize costs, and reduce complexity in the manufacturing and distribution of CTLS Light-Sport Aircraft. Inside the main building referred to as “Hangar 1” the company has ample office space for the EASA Part 21J Design Organization (including engineering and flight test) and EASA Part 21G Production Organization (including quality management staff and Production Management), for which approval is expected shortly. The upper floor on the northeast side is occupied by Finance & Administration, including meeting room and Directors office. “Activity is high,” Wenger continued. “We hired additional staff since late 2013 at our Kamenz location and we have added mechanics and technical personnel recently.” Wenger added that the larger facility and additional workers are helping to reduce back log as the company adjusts to higher demand following slower years during the global recession. The company had previously done flight testing at a smaller remote facility but has also moved this function to the larger airport facility. “Presently we employ 18 people in Kamenz,” Wenger said, “with 10 of them working on aircraft completion and delivery. The German company continues to own and operate a large component fabrication facility in Ukraine, which is constantly monitored and supervised by leading Flight Design personnel, including the Directors. “Flight Design GmbH has been working diligently to increase production as orders rose throughout 2013,” noted Tom Peghiny president of Flight Design USA, the official representative for the German aircraft maker. “Company directors reduced staff and inventories during the economic downturn, but it now appears we have solidly turned the corner. We are pleased to note the new Kamenz facility has already increased efficiency and quality by a significant margin.” FACTS ABOUT FLIGHT DESIGN GmbH Flight Design is a 25-year-old manufacturer based in Germany. The company remains the worldwide Light-Sport Aircraft market leader thanks to its popular CT series of aircraft. More than 1,800 of these aircraft are flying in 39 countries. One of the first aircraft certified under ASTM International standards in 2005, the CT (“composite technology”) remains the top-selling LSA in America through eight consecutive years. Flight Design sold the first LSA to India and was the first LSA to earn Chinese Type Design Approval. Three times a CT has been flown around the world. In 2011, the German company unveiled its C4 four seat aircraft based on the CT technology. • • • • • FLIGHT DESIGN USA CONTACT: John Gilmore, national sales manager of Flight Design USA at 612-759-2252 (email: jgilmore@flightdesignusa.com) or Flight Design USA in Connecticut at 860-963-7272 PHOTOS — High resolution photos of all Flight Design aircraft and other images can be downloaded at: http://FlightDesignUSA.com/media Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Great news!... we should be hearing more about the C4 over the next several months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tip Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 The last picture has a new SW with composite gear legs. First one I have ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Cesnalis Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 The last picture has a new SW with composite gear legs. First one I have ever seen. Good catch, wonder how much one would weigh and cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 It's the European Supralite SW body with LS wings and gear http://flightdesign.com/files/Media/Brochures%202013/CT%20Supralight_2013.pdf http://flightdesign.com/files/2013%20Price%20Lists/Printable%20Version%20-%20CT%20Supralight%20472%20kg%20Class%20-%20Specification%20-%20Prices%20-%202013.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 The SW is obsolete. FD is moving on. If that is the case why do they have one in the last picture in their new facility? Maybe they know something you don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3flyer Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 It doesn't appear FD needs my help in marketing but I wonder if a Supralight with 912ULSi would be a good option for those needing more legal useful load. 620lbs basic empty weight but still has a 1320 MTOW (if regulations allow). Throw in 100 lbs of US bloatware and you still have 600lbs of useful load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 The SW is obsolete. FD is moving on. another negative comment you never stop I'm very happy with my 660 lbs SW and it will bring me at the same places as the CTLSi for MUCH less $$/miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 And, it even has the option of the coveted(by some) 912i. But, and this would be great for those operating off high altitude airports, it can also be had with the 914 which would be my choice. Of course those picking the 914 would have to accept those pesky carbs but, I know I would somehow manage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 I wish rotax would support a port injection modification to the 912 carb series that I could convert to. The only thing that needs modified on the engine itself is the intake. There are some guys who make port injection conversions for experimental guys, and there's a marked increase in fuel efficiency. Old carbed cars have had aftermarket mods like this, which increased fuel efficiency, and decreased maintenance, with relatively little change to the engine block itself. In fact, most fuel injected systems these days are not actually injected into the head on gas engines. It is insanely expensive to do direct injection. It is injected into the intake port. The 912i is direct injection, but still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralarcon Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Good news for anybody that owns or is planning to own FD products. Thanks for the post. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 I'm thrilled to see any manufacturer doing well in hard times. Imagine what they'll be able to do in a healthier economy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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