The much anticipated Flight Design C4 program continues development in Europe. The prototype made the flight test in April 2015. (Read more about this event)

The Flight Design C4 is an all carbon composite four-place light aircraft based upon the advanced design of the popular Flight Design CT series of aircraft.  Key features are the new Continental IO-360AF Alternate Fuels engine, conceived to “future proof” the C4, an advanced glass panel cockpit by Garmin and an integrated, full airplane parachute system. Flight Design has always designed its planes for excellent cross country performance and the C4 is planned to have up to a 1200 NM (2200km) range.

Due in large part to the structural efficiency of carbon composites, the C4 will also provide true utility with a giant, easy to enter cabin and a very high useful load of 1320 Lbs(600kg).  As a part of the development process, mock ups of the airframe and interior cabin have been shown extensively for customer input on the ergonomic design. 

Flight Design has been very busy with recent developments including adding additional technical staff at the Flight Design Flight Test Center in Kamenz Germany, attaining EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) and working to finish Production Organization Approval (POA).  These two approvals will allow Flight Design to develop and certify the C4 in a more rapid fashion which is key to keeping the target cost of the C4 completely equipped price of $250,000 (€ 220.000).       

The C4 will first be certified in Europe under ELA (European Light Aircraft Category) by EASA. FAA certification is anticipated under reciprocity between these two leading regulatory agencies.  Flight Design has participated in the creation of ELA and is involved as well with the current Part 23 ARC review with contributions to the technical and regulatory committees.      

In order for the aggressive low price target of the C4 to be achieved, all major components of the aircraft must meet pre-determined functional and cost criteria.  The major cost drivers include the airframe, engine, avionics and certification.  Flight Design has extensive experience and understanding of the airframe and, as you know, our engine selecion was made in late 2011 with the alternate fuel capableContinental IO-360-AF being chosen.  BRS Aerospace has been selected as the supplier of the integrated, full airplane parachute system (FAPS) for the C4 and at AirVenture Oshkosh 2013 Flight Design announced the selection of Garmin avionics (The Flight Design Vision Touch) for its new C4 all-carbon composite four-seat light aircraft.

The Flight Design Vision Touch

The Vision Touch suite is based around the Garmin G3X Touch ® system as PFD and MFD (Primary and Multifunction Displays). The G3X Touch is a new product offering from Garmin that features both advanced synthetic vision capabilities and a choice of touch screen and conventional button/knob input as well. The inclusion of this system will give C4 owners the greater situational awareness afforded by synthetic vision and the simplicity of operation through the advanced touch screen displays. Fmi:http://www.garmin.com/us/products/intheair/sportaviation/g3x-touch/ 

The Vision Touch suite also includes other super capable equipment such as the Garmin GTN 750 Black® Nav-Com-GPS system for primary navigation and also as a touch screen input device for entering fl ight plans, either manually or with a preprogrammed fl ight plans on an SD card. The convenient positioning of the GTN 750 will allow comfortablein flight data input. Entering a flight plan will automatically populate the information up to the PFD and MFD screens. Other components include the Garmin GNC255 Nav-Com as a secondary navigation system and back up radio, the Garmin GMA350 audio panel and the Garmin GMC 305 autopilot.   To top off this impressive list are centrally located RC Allen solid-state digital Directional Gyro, Attitude indicator, full-size airspeed and altimeter.

For a better idea of the beauty and innovation of this great design, please click on the pictures below and download the latest C4 brochure.  

 

The much anticipated Flight Design C4 program continues development in Europe. The prototype made the flight test in April 2015. (Read more about this event)

The Flight Design C4 is an all carbon composite four-place light aircraft based upon the advanced design of the popular Flight Design CT series of aircraft.  Key features are the new Continental IO-360AF Alternate Fuels engine, conceived to “future proof” the C4, an advanced glass panel cockpit by Garmin and an integrated, full airplane parachute system. Flight Design has always designed its planes for excellent cross country performance and the C4 is planned to have up to a 1200 NM (2200km) range.

Due in large part to the structural efficiency of carbon composites, the C4 will also provide true utility with a giant, easy to enter cabin and a very high useful load of 1320 Lbs(600kg).  As a part of the development process, mock ups of the airframe and interior cabin have been shown extensively for customer input on the ergonomic design. 

Flight Design has been very busy with recent developments including adding additional technical staff at the Flight Design Flight Test Center in Kamenz Germany, attaining EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) and working to finish Production Organization Approval (POA).  These two approvals will allow Flight Design to develop and certify the C4 in a more rapid fashion which is key to keeping the target cost of the C4 completely equipped price of $250,000 (€ 220.000).       

The C4 will first be certified in Europe under ELA (European Light Aircraft Category) by EASA. FAA certification is anticipated under reciprocity between these two leading regulatory agencies.  Flight Design has participated in the creation of ELA and is involved as well with the current Part 23 ARC review with contributions to the technical and regulatory committees.      

In order for the aggressive low price target of the C4 to be achieved, all major components of the aircraft must meet pre-determined functional and cost criteria.  The major cost drivers include the airframe, engine, avionics and certification.  Flight Design has extensive experience and understanding of the airframe and, as you know, our engine selecion was made in late 2011 with the alternate fuel capableContinental IO-360-AF being chosen.  BRS Aerospace has been selected as the supplier of the integrated, full airplane parachute system (FAPS) for the C4 and at AirVenture Oshkosh 2013 Flight Design announced the selection of Garmin avionics (The Flight Design Vision Touch) for its new C4 all-carbon composite four-seat light aircraft.

The Flight Design Vision Touch

The Vision Touch suite is based around the Garmin G3X Touch ® system as PFD and MFD (Primary and Multifunction Displays). The G3X Touch is a new product offering from Garmin that features both advanced synthetic vision capabilities and a choice of touch screen and conventional button/knob input as well. The inclusion of this system will give C4 owners the greater situational awareness afforded by synthetic vision and the simplicity of operation through the advanced touch screen displays. Fmi:http://www.garmin.com/us/products/intheair/sportaviation/g3x-touch/ 

The Vision Touch suite also includes other super capable equipment such as the Garmin GTN 750 Black® Nav-Com-GPS system for primary navigation and also as a touch screen input device for entering fl ight plans, either manually or with a preprogrammed fl ight plans on an SD card. The convenient positioning of the GTN 750 will allow comfortablein flight data input. Entering a flight plan will automatically populate the information up to the PFD and MFD screens. Other components include the Garmin GNC255 Nav-Com as a secondary navigation system and back up radio, the Garmin GMA350 audio panel and the Garmin GMC 305 autopilot.   To top off this impressive list are centrally located RC Allen solid-state digital Directional Gyro, Attitude indicator, full-size airspeed and altimeter.

For a better idea of the beauty and innovation of this great design, please click on the pictures below and download the latest C4 brochure.