Flight Design Developing New ‘Modular’ Aircraft Family

German light aircraft manufacturer Flight Design this week introduced a new “modular” family of single-engine aircraft, the F series, which will range from ultralight and type-certified models to an electric-powered variant. On display this week at Aero Friedrichshafen 2019, the F series will feature a cabin that is a little wider than Flight Design's CT series of light-sport and ultralight aircraft and will incorporate “safety cell” crash-protection technology.

Developed in concert with FuXiang Technologies, the family also incorporates a longer, one-piece wing with wing cuffs and spin resistance capability, along with Amsafe airbags for the pilot and copilot. A 100-hp Rotax 912 iS engine will push the three-blade composite propeller, but the design will be able to accommodate a range of propulsion types, including electric, hybrid, and hydrogen. Garmin is supplying avionics, including its 10.6-inch G3X Touch, for the models.

The first of the family, the two-seat F2, will meet EASA 600-kg ultralight requirements and Flight Design expects to self-certify under ASTM standards in June. CS-23 VFR certification is anticipated to follow by year-end, with an IFR nod by mid-2020. The fuselage is designed to add an expansion behind the front seats to create a four-seater, the F4, slated for certification in 2020. Meanwhile, Flight Design expects to test fly an electric variant of the F2 later this month.

Garmin Gets EASA Nod for GFC 500 Autopilot

EASA formally awarded approval for Garmin’s retrofit GFC 500 autopilot yesterday at Aero Friedrichshafen 2019. This follows U.S. FAA supplemental type certification more than a year ago and covers a range of Beechcraft, Cessna, Grumman, Piper, and Mooney light aircraft. The approval was the culmination of a multi-year effort involving Garmin, EASA, and the FAA to find a certification basis to bring safety equipment to the market sooner, said Trevor Pegrum, manager, EMEA aviation sales and marketing for Garmin.

According to Garmin, the GFC 500 is designed as a lightweight, lower-cost autopilot option for less-complex piston single-engine aircraft and pairs with its G5 electronic flight instrument. The autopilot is combined with a number of safety-enhancing features, including Garmin’s Electronic Stability and Protection, underspeed protection, overspeed protection, level mode, and flight director, among others.

Also at Aero Friedrichshafen, Garmin is conducting a datalink weather broadcast demonstration program using a ground-based Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) based at the Friedrichshafen Airport (EDNY). While the technology is available in the U.S., Garmin is hoping to demonstrate its value in Germany and possibly other areas of Europe. The station broadcasts weather information to aircraft equipped with certain Garmin ADS-B In products and displays that on Garmin avionics and portables.

Diamond Selects CD-300 Jet-A-burning Engine for DA50

Diamond Aircraft is planning to bring the DA50 single to market next year with a 300-hp Continental CD-300 jet-A-burning engine and retractable gear, the company announced Wednesday at Aero Friedrichshafen 2019. The DA50 project was introduced at Aero Friedrichshafen in 2017 with three variants offering different seating configurations and engine. During a transition year under new ownership, Diamond re-evaluated all projects, including the DA50.

"After careful consideration, we determined that the CD-300 engine aligns with Diamond’s jet fuel philosophy and that it is a suitable solution for our DA50 platform,” CEO Frank Zhang said. Certified in December 2017, the CD-300 is the third of Continental’s jet-A piston engine family. The engine has a fuel consumption of 9.2 gph and produces 296.4 hp.

A CD-300-equipped DA50 underwent initial ground tests on March 15 and flew for the first time on March 22. Diamond anticipates securing EASA approval for the five-seat CD-300-powered DA50 in summer 2020, with deliveries to follow later in the year. 

The new design comes two years after Hangzhou, China-based Wanfeng Aviation took a 100 percent stake in Diamond Aircraft Industries. Since then, the company has restructured the Austrian manufacturer and laid out an ambitious agenda that brings new products to market faster, increases support options, doubles production, boosts employment, and steps up research and development of long-term projects, including hybrid-electric.

Aviation Leaders Give Mixed Reviews on State of Market

A cross section of industry leaders offered differing views during Aero Friedrichshafen on the current state of the aviation market, with business and general aviation representatives optimistic but also with a helicopter representative seeing a still-struggling market. 

Kyle Martin, director of European regulatory affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), pointed to GAMA’s recent report finding delivery activity up across all general and business aviation categories. While Europe has lagged behind the U.S. market, he added there is untapped growth capacity. The holdup, Martin said, is a perception issue—Europe still does not view general aviation as a means to get between two points, but rather a recreational outlet or luxury.

At the business aviation end, Nicolas von Mende, CEO of business aviation services organization Atlas Air Service, said the European market is experiencing modest growth, but more so in Germany, home to the largest business jet fleet in Europe. But Frank Liemand, spokesman for the German Helicopter Association, painted a different picture pointing to ongoing woes of the offshore oil-and-gas industry, which plays a significant role in Europe. He added other factors play a role in Europe, such as limitations where helicopters can operate.

Sonaca Adds Second Trainer with Glass Flight Deck

Less than year after Belgian manufacturer Sonaca Aircraft received EASA approval and handed over its first aircraft, the Sonaca 200 single-engine trainer, the company is rolling out a second version, the Sonaca 200 Trainer Pro, with a Garmin glass flight deck. Both two-place variants are equipped with a 115-hp BRP-Rotax 914 F engine that provides a maximum cruise speed of 115 knots. The airplanes were designed as a low-cost option for the flight training community, with the analog instrument-equipped base model priced at €177,500 ($200,345).

Driven by demand for a glass flight deck, Sonaca had immediately begun working on the Trainer Pro, which features Garmin G500 TXI EFIS and GTN 650 navigation instruments, along with a Honeywell KI 300 backup instrument. Priced at €208,500 ($235,305), that version is anticipated to receive approval in the upcoming weeks.

The initial Sonaca 200 received EASA CS-VLA approval in June and the first few were handed over to South Brussels-based Belgian Flight School and Air Academy New CAG. The schools have collectively ordered 16 Sonaca 200s and placed options for eight of the Trainer Pro variant.

In all, Sonaca had captured nearly 50 orders for the aircraft leading up to Aero Friedrichshafen, with five delivered.