Flight Design C4 Makes First Flight

April 15, 2015 - Flight Design’s new four-seater airplane C4 non-conforming prototype made its 55-minute maiden flight on April 9, achieving a goal to be airborne by the start of AERO Friedrichshafen 2015, with just under a week to spare. Flight Design launched the C4 project in 2008.

“The C4 really performed as expected,” reported Tom Peghiny, president of Flight Design USA, importer of the German company’s products and test flight director for the C4 development. “Very few first flights proceed through the entire test card, yet we completed all of the points permitted under the EASA-established Flight Conditions as specified in our initial Permit to Fly authorization.”

Test pilot Damian Hischier flew reported favorable spiral and directional stability, acceptable trim and control feel, good overall control harmony and handling characteristics, and easy takeoff and landing. The airplane is powered by a Continental IO-360-AF engine.

“We are all exceedingly pleased to have reached this benchmark as forecast a few months back,” said Christian Wenger, a Flight Design corporate board member and procurement manager for the German manufacturer. “This is going to make for a very enjoyable (AERO) show for us.”