Click on this link and have a look at this time line for the Flight Design C4. It will give you a good impression of the progress Flight Design is making with this airplane

C4 Time Line Link

 front wall beams transfer the loads to the A-pillar base and to the center tunnel between the passenger seats (where the transmission and exhaust are normally routed)
 A-pillar is designed as stable beam to transfer the load up to the roof rail and down to the sill beam.
 Sill beam is designed compression stable to support between the wheels in a crash and avoid intrusion.
 Roof rail is designed as stable compression beam to avoid roof collapse.
 B- Pillar is designed as stable spreader between roof rail and sill beam to avoid collapse and support side impact.
 All means begin at the front of the passenger cell and extend beyond the passenger cell, routing the loads through the cabin.
 In some cars, sandwich floor sections provide additional stiff plates below the passengers, supporting tunnel and sill beam.

Looking at the CT models safety cabin you can find all these key design features as well.
Figure 1 shows the key elements of the fuselage. Figure 2 illustrates the generalized force flow in the CTLS, resulting from the assembly of the components shown in Figure 1:

 Forces are introduced in a crash from the engine and nose gear through the big engine mount (1). The big engine mount serves as lead spreader and front beam. Loads are transported from this metal structure to the A-pillar nodes and to the center tunnel.
 Forces flow from the strong A- Pillar (2) (designed as stiff carbon fiber box-beam) up to the roof and down to the door sill.
 The door sill (3) is designed as closed profile to transport the loads backwards, as well in the sill as in the sandwich composite shell.
 The fuselage root rib area (4) is designed as a closed carbon fiber beam working as stiff roof rail and transports the loads backwards.
 The middle of the cabin is stiffened with a tunnel (5) that extends from the nose gear attachment area to beyond the luggage compartment.
 The cabin is closed at the end with the main bulkhead (6) that serves together with the door sill as B- pillar. All longitudinal elements extend to and beyond this main bulkhead.
 The floor section below the seats is designed as double-walled structure (sandwich floor) with the “Pyramids” (7) installed to the cabin floor, supporting the seats.
 The inner laminate of the cabin skin is done in Aramide, providing best occupant protection against splintering. The outer skin is designed as carbon fiber providing maximum stiffness and strength
 The suitability of this design has been proven in service now for 13 years. Accident history shows that the cabin provides a maximum of occupant protection even in severe crash.

CTLS's and MC on the flight line.

A Good Day For Flight Design

Natfly was quieter than previous years but still lots of interest in the FD aircraft witnessed by the number of trial Flts conducted by Leo.

Anoter CTLS , A/C registration number 24-7686 Demonstrator shown in the centre 3 Flight Design Aircraft in this picture was delivered after the show to a happy new owner.

The LS is now based in Caloundra Airport QLD at Go Fly Flying school for flight training and personal use , joining an ever increasing number of CTLS’s world wide that are successfully used in the demanding training and leasing environment.

First BIg Step for Aaron with his PPL

The Mission Aviation Pilot Course of the Australian Centre for Mission Aviation (ACMA) has started to utilise a FDMC LSA for their ab-initio flight training at Coldstream (YCEM) in Victoria.

Aaron R. is the first student to achieve his PPL having done training solely in the MC.

The MAF Flight Training Centre received VH-MBU as a NVFR CTA capable LSA in July 2011 and is successfully using it for TIFs / PPL training and Flight Instructor Training.

Currently the FTC has 3 more full time students learning to fly using the Flight Design MC

The “Just For Fun Poker Run” held on April 14th was a most successful day’s out exploring, for some, new and unfamiliar airstrips in our mid northern area.

24 people in 14 aircraft turned up at Paul Hopper’s Silverdale airstrip, several for their very first visit.

I think my threat to eat all of the scones must have had something to do with it as the huge pile of them, with ample supplies of jam and cream, quickly started to disappear soon after the first aircraft and people startedto arrive.

Ample evidence that Robyn really knows how to make great muffins and scones.

The great turnout was in spite of the heavy rain clouds in the local area which forced Brian Leach to turn

back twice to wait it out at Omaha until it was safe for him to proceed.

(We all thought the weather was going to be better on Sunday. We were wrong)

The first aircraft away was Cliff McChesney in his always beautiful Pulsar with Sally and Ellie (his dog)

on board. After Cliff’s departure there was a steady stream of aircraft taking off and disappearing into the

low clouds and misty rain that was to confront everyone for most of the morning.

We could follow progress on the radio and it became very obvious that no one had clear skies to enjoy.

One aircraft found Makarau to become heavily clagged just as they arrived so they decided to go to Omaha

for their first landing instead They then returned to Makarau for a second attempt at getting in safely.

Peter Karl floated along the strip and eventually managed to get his wheels on the ground but decided a go

around would be the wisest option as the runway appeared to be a bit to short from his perspective owing

to the latter part being hidden by the downward curve ahead. His next attempts were thwarted by

turbulence and he wisely decided to depart for Springhill instead.

When we landed at Springhill we were greeted by Tony Lloyd who had come out to meet us and make

everyone welcome as, apart from Tony, there was not a human in sight and the only other onlookers were

the many sheep grazing in the adjacent paddocks.

I was flying with Sandy and we had opted to be “Tail End Charlie” so we could collect the unused cards

that were left. That of course had us wondering if we would get to Dargaville for lunch before it had all

been eaten by those ahead of us.

The longest leg was now upon us, Springhill to Ruawai, and there was a marked improvement in the weather as we continued our flight to the north west.

We could hear the others as they arrived at Dargaville and again wondered how much food would be left

for us as it was becoming very obvious that we would not arrive until after 1pm.

After what was now becoming a most enjoyable flight we landed at Ruawai to pick up the last of the cards.

Jim Sharp was about to take off on a practice search and rescue mission to locate the missing occupants of

an empty canoe. He kindly held back for Brian Leach and ourselves to take off on the final short leg to

Dargaville where we arrived to discover there was still plenty of lovely roast chicken dinner for everyone.

When the poker hands were played it was to great applause when the winner turned out to be Paul Hopper.

Unfortunately Paul had been unable to participate as a close friend’s father had died and Paul was expected

to attend the funeral, so Sally had picked up the cards on his behalf.

Of course he was totally unaware of all this until I presented the winnings to him when we returned later

that afternoon. He was totally gobsmacked and embarrassed. He is now thinking of putting the money

towards replacing the weather worn windsocks on the airstrip.

Article by Brian Millett, Club Captain Northland Microlight club inc.

The Key to FDD

Leaving Kaipara Flats for the new home

Today, 16th of April 2012, Lance Weller took delivery of his brand new CTLS. His aircraft is equiped with the full Dynon Skyview and a constant speed prop which makes this the most sophisticated microlight flying around in New Zealand. Lance is an experienced GA pilot and only needed a very short familiarization and flew the aircraft with Tim from Whangarei to Kaipara Flats. After a few circuits Lance was ready to take his new baby and flew it back to its new home in Whangarei.

Some last minute directions

Before Take Off checklist

Off You Go !!!

Flight Design actively promoted our company and new products at Sun ‘n Fun 2012, which was held March 27-April 1 at Lakeland, Florida.

Flight Design CTLSi Features New Rotax Engine

Fuel-Injected 912iS Powerplant Has Many Advantages

Leinfelden-Echterdingen, GERMANY / 9 March 2012 — Flight Design is pleased to be among the first to feature the new fuel-injected 912iS powerplant from Rotax Aircraft Engines in its just-introduced CTLSi. As the leader in the LSA segment, Flight Design is in a long-term partnership with the BRP-Powertrain distribution network.

Rotax has leaped forward allowing our new CTLSi model to achieve even more,” said Flight Design CEO Matthias Betsch. “Carburetors demand more mechanical oversight and tuning the dual carbs increases complexity. With fuel injection, balancing carbs is no longer necessary. Pilots will find increased torque, easier starting, and smoother operation. Carb ice concerns becomes a thing of the past,” reports Flight Design Technical Director Oliver Reinhardt.

Fuel injection is more precise allowing better efficiency at lower pollution levels thanks to a computer chip that constantly optimizes the air-to-fuel ratio. Most of the regular carburetors must be adjusted periodically, which also demands training. Fuel injection is more reliable and automatically compensates for altitude, which reduces pilot work load.

Using signals from several sensors fuel injection monitors engine vacuum, exhaust gas temperature, ambient air pressure, incoming air temperature, liquid coolant temperature, and throttle position to self adjust for engine condition and atmospheric conditions.

“As the LSA market leader, we are pleased to put the Rotax 912iS into production on our CTLSi and CTSLi (Supralight)” said John Doman, Director Business Development, Global Sales & Marketing for Flight Design. “However, for customers who prefer the advantages of carbureted systems this lower cost option will continue to be available.”

The CTLSi, CTSLi (Supralight) is available for immediate order. For more details be sure to visit the Flight Design space at AERO 2012 – Friedrichshafen, Germany, April 18 to 21 2012, Hall B1 – Stand 101.

After 2 Sausages , a plate of stew and several cookies.