Flight Design F2, Flight Design USA, AirTime Aviation's Tom Gutmann.
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- Опубликовано: 30 июн 2021
- Flight Design F2, Flight Design USA, AirTime Aviation's Tom Gutmann.
F2 Arrives in America
I got to see prototype and introductory show-model versions of F2 and F2e, the electric aircraft that somewhat ironically was the very first to fly in Flight Design’s new F-series. My early glimpses were at Aero 2019 and I wrote up what I observed; see it here.
Well, every show was scrubbed except the Midwest LSA Expo in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Where I got to see and fly Flight Design’s latest and greatest, the F2. Not only was the airshow a welcome change from the social barriers everyone had faced over the last few months, but Midwest 2020 provided a venue to see and fly the new model.
“Tom explained that F2 may look similar to CT but is a nose-to-tail, tip-to-tip refreshed design. It has been some time in development because as Tom noted, “Flight Design engineers had to rework the whole airplane. It is significantly larger than CTLS yet final production models should weigh no more.” That’s some accomplishment!
It is also built quite differently. All CTLS are essentially “hand made” with hand-layup molds that display the skill of factory workers yet makes each one unique. For F2, Tom said, Flight Design uses molds created on 5-axis CNC shaping tools so each one is fabricated to precise specifications. You may not be able to see the difference in construction but the new method is far better for serial production.
“F2 is manufactured to close tolerances in pre-impregnated carbon fiber for great structural strength and light weight,” said Flight Design in Germany. With prepreg carbon fiber from American company Hexcel, F2’s honeycomb-core fuselage signifies a big step forward.
F2’s tail is all-new as well. CTLS’s full-flying stabilator is replaced with a wider stabilizer that has a discrete two-piece elevator with a center section that remains stationary forming what’s often called a duck tail. This aids in meeting the ASTM handling requirement. One result is that the airplane does not pitch up during a departure stall.
The altered horizontal tail works cooperatively with the wing cuffs to make a highly stall-resistant airframe, a feature FAA admires so much they gave Icon Aircraft additional weight for the A5 seaplane because the California developer redesigned to add the shape to their wings. Cirrus’s SR20 and SR22 also use this design, as do other flying machines …because it works.
F2’s tail looks notably different than CTLS with a high-aspect-ratio vertical tail and slimmer rudder although the volume is similar. These changes - with the wing cuffs - contribute to better slow-speed handling and genuine spin resistance while still allowing a generous slip and yielding plenty of rudder authority in crosswinds.
Creature Comforts
At 53 inches wide, F2’s cabin is spacious enough to lead the LSA category. The seats in CTLS are very comfortable and even have dual air-bulb adjustment for maximum comfort, but you had to adjust them before you entered. With F2, you can manually slide fore and aft anytime and the seat raises and lowers electrically.
The throttle does double duty; forward for get up and go and pulled aft to apply brakes; it makes for a simplified cockpit.
Flight Design chose to replace Dynon of the CTLS era with Garmin’s G3X Touch avionics. F2 comes with dual 10-inch touchscreens.
Flying F2 - Initial Impressions
With its Rotax 912iS 100-horsepower engine, F2 accelerated briskly to its 52-knot rotation speed breaking ground in roughly 500 feet with a bit of breeze straight down the runway. Importer Tom Peghiny who flew the demo routine with me said to use 70 knots for early climb, 60 knots for best angle, and 80 knots for enroute climb.
Cruise speed at a low altitude (approximately 3,000 feet density altitude) exceeded 115 knots while burning barely over 4 gallons an hour; Rotax’s 912iS is known for its fuel miserliness. This allows a topped-off F2 to fly close to 1,000 statute miles. You can fly cross country to a destination and return to base without buying fuel. I once enjoyed this quality while flying to the Bahamas in CTLS; I never had to buy any fuel.
A combination of wing cuffs, revised empennage with its fixed duck tail, and tip-vortices-reducing winglets make F2’s stalls and slow flight about as uneventful as I’ve experienced; much like Icon’s A5, which was equally docile at slow speeds. Even with the joystick full aft F2 did nothing exciting. It did not drop a wing and resisted any stall break.
Landings were easier than CTLS, which demands no more than 60 knots on approach unless you’re willing to float well down the runway. F2 was more user-friendly, a phrase I think many will generally use for F2.
www.flyct.com
www.bydanjohnson.com
www.ultralightflyer.com
www.flightdesignusa.com
🙋🏻♂️ Dan, Wow this is a beautiful airplane. 👍
Very nice airplane...
I didn't hear any information on the useful load but it is a good looking plane.
Test flew this aircraft after sun and fun in louisburg nc. They flew it up from Wilmington nc. Very nice aircraft, was quoted 208,000 with everything seen in the video. May become more attractive after new light sport rule changes.
Very nice review. I wonder how this plane stacks up to a similarly engined Bristell? Speed? Handling? Useful load? Thanks Dan.
Trying to talk my dad into a plane like this. He used to fly cessnas for years. I was pretty young, but it was so fun! I bought a quicksilver, and am itching to get it flying! (2 axis)
That has a very basic no frills interior for the price, when you look at the alternatives, such as Bristell or Tecnam.
I stall a lot scheduling flight lessons.
Cruise speed? Useful load?
Great airplane! But is that Chinese written on the nose? Please don't tell me Flight Design is now Chinese owned as well.
First!!! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Just how big is that guy and does he fit inside that plane?
IS THERE A SMALLER VERSION OF THIS PLANE LIKE A SINGLE SEAT? REAL SWEET LITTLE PLANE AND HOPEFULLY CHEAPER VERSION TO.
Just to clarify: any aircraft will stall. No matter what. If the angle of attack is large enough it will stall.. Even this airplane.
Its a Buick.😂😂
One thing I hate about Flight Design aircraft is the poor visibility out of the front. Unnecessarily tall center panel for no good reason. And the last thing I want is an airbag going off in my face during a hard landing.
$204,922 before any options, from their website
200k for this. I get nice used anything for that price. Pass