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News & Media Flight Design sells CT series and C4

Flight Design sells CT series and C4

AeroJones of Taiwan to distribute via Florida

November 2, 2016 By Jim Moore

Flight Design GmbH, the German creator of one of the first and also the best-selling light sport aircraft to date, is selling the rights to the market-leading CT series, as well as the four-seat C4 in development, as it works to emerge from receivership. AeroJones Aviation, the Taiwan company that inked an agreement with Flight Design in early 2016 to manufacture the CTLS, will own the designs and be the exclusive manufacturer of both the CT series and the C4 that Flight Design began flight testing in 2015.

The CTLS light sport aircraft designed and built into a market leader by Flight Design will soon be made exclusively by AeroJones, a Taiwan-based company that began manufacturing the CTLS earlier in 2016 and is in the process of buying the design. AOPA file photo by Mike Fizer.
The CTLS light sport aircraft designed and built into a market leader by Flight Design will soon be made exclusively by AeroJones, a Taiwan-based company that began manufacturing the CTLS earlier in 2016 and is in the process of buying the design. AOPA file photo by Mike Fizer.

The deal, announced Nov. 2 by AeroJones, follows the German company Flight Design GmbH entering voluntary receivership in February.

While the CT series is the best-selling light sport aircraft made, Flight Design ran into financial trouble in large part because fighting between Russian-backed rebels and government forces in Ukraine made banks reluctant to extend credit to the company, which built aircraft exclusively in Ukraine prior to the AeroJones deal. The CT series and C4 aircraft made by AeroJones will be distributed in the United States through Florida, where AeroJones Americas will receive aircraft manufactured in China for final assembly and delivery to customers.

“This facility will ensure the strictest safety standards and quality control set. AeroJones Americas looks forward to working with and renewing all dealer contracts and leading the way with new and innovative technology in the CTLS aircraft,” said Chris Benaiges, CEO of AeroJones Americas, in a news release.

Tom Peghiny, president of Flight Design USA who had previously assembled CT series aircraft in Woodstock, Connecticut, for the American market, said in a Nov. 2 email that AeroJones’ purchase of the tooling, design data, and production rights remains in process, and that Flight Design will continue to operate independently, under new ownership.

AeroJones Americas will take over support of existing CT owners and all new imports, Peghiny said.

AeroJones Americas will meanwhile have a display at the inauguration of a new event for the light sport world, the Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, Nov. 3 through 5 in Deland, Florida.

Jim Moore

Jim Moore

Managing Editor-Digital Media
Digital Media Managing Editor Jim Moore joined AOPA in 2011 and is an instrument-rated private pilot, as well as a certificated remote pilot, who enjoys competition aerobatics and flying drones.
Go to Jim Moore's Profile
Topics: Light Sport Aircraft, Financial

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