Flight Design CTSW
Encyclopedia
The Flight Design CT series is a family of high-wing, tricycle undercarriage, two seat ultralight
and light-sport aircraft
produced by Flight Design
(Flightdesign Vertrieb) of Germany
. The family includes the original CT and the CT2K, CTSW, CTLS and the new MC models.
The aircraft are of composite
construction, with carbon fiber
being the primary material. This results in a very aerodynamic shape to the fuselage and very high useful loads (almost equal to the weight of the aircraft itself). The CTSW is so efficient that it needs to have the pitch of the propeller reduced significantly to stay within the 120 knots (235 km/h) maximum speed of the American Light-sport Aircraft
(LSA) rules; in other countries, the CTSW has a higher cruising speed. In addition, the amount of negative (reflex) flaps
is limited to -6 degrees in the US version; in other countries the flaps retract to -12 degrees in cruise, adding even more speed.
One reviewer of the CT2K writing COPA Flight in October 2004 described the aircraft as "fast, comfortable, roomy and very capable of long cross country flights for little money" and faulted the aircraft only for its difficulty slowing down from its cruise speed of 130 knots to its final approach speed of 50 knots, requiring careful planning to lose 80 knots between entering the circuit and stabilizing the aircraft on final approach.
Although the standard and required equipment varies by country, the CTSW has a standard Ballistic Recovery Systems
parachute for the airframe. The BRS can be used to lower the entire aircraft to the ground in a controlled descent in the event of major structural failure, incapacitation of the pilot, or engine failure over mountainous terrain.
rules, Canadian advanced ultralight and the European EASA
Permit to Fly rules. Both aircraft
are high-wing designs using a 100 hp Rotax
912S engine in a tractor configuration (the 80 hp 912 is sometimes used outside of the US).
In December 2009 the CTLS was granted a type design approval and a production certificate by the Civil Aviation Administration of China
.
One example was used by the Indian Air Force
in a round-the-world expedition. Wing Commander Rahul Monga started off on 1 June 2007 and finished the circumnavigation flight on 19 August 2007. The total flight time logged was 247 hours.
In 2010 the Air Volunteer Fire Department in Bomberos de Cuenca, Ecuador
took delivery of a CTSW for use as an air support unit for fire fighting reconnaissance. The aircraft is based at Mariscal La Mar airport, 8,300 feet above sea level.
CT
CT2K
CTSW
CTLS
MC
CTLS-Lite
CTHL
Ultralight aviation
The term "ultralight aviation" refers to light-weight, 1- or 2-person airplanes., also called microlight aircraft in the UK, India and New Zealand...
and light-sport aircraft
Light-sport Aircraft
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
produced by Flight Design
Flight Design
Flight Design is a German aircraft manufacturer based in Leinfelden-Echterdingen.The company started building hang gliders and ultralight aircraft in the 1980s and added paragliders in 2001....
(Flightdesign Vertrieb) of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The family includes the original CT and the CT2K, CTSW, CTLS and the new MC models.
Design and development
Composite material
Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...
construction, with carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
being the primary material. This results in a very aerodynamic shape to the fuselage and very high useful loads (almost equal to the weight of the aircraft itself). The CTSW is so efficient that it needs to have the pitch of the propeller reduced significantly to stay within the 120 knots (235 km/h) maximum speed of the American Light-sport Aircraft
Light-sport Aircraft
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
(LSA) rules; in other countries, the CTSW has a higher cruising speed. In addition, the amount of negative (reflex) flaps
Flap (aircraft)
Flaps are normally hinged surfaces mounted on the trailing edges of the wings of a fixed-wing aircraft to reduce the speed an aircraft can be safely flown at and to increase the angle of descent for landing without increasing air speed. They shorten takeoff and landing distances as well as...
is limited to -6 degrees in the US version; in other countries the flaps retract to -12 degrees in cruise, adding even more speed.
One reviewer of the CT2K writing COPA Flight in October 2004 described the aircraft as "fast, comfortable, roomy and very capable of long cross country flights for little money" and faulted the aircraft only for its difficulty slowing down from its cruise speed of 130 knots to its final approach speed of 50 knots, requiring careful planning to lose 80 knots between entering the circuit and stabilizing the aircraft on final approach.
Although the standard and required equipment varies by country, the CTSW has a standard Ballistic Recovery Systems
Ballistic Recovery Systems
Ballistic Recovery Systems is a manufacturer of aircraft ballistic parachutes .The company was formed in 1980 by Boris Popov after he survived a fall in a partly collapsed hang glider in 1975...
parachute for the airframe. The BRS can be used to lower the entire aircraft to the ground in a controlled descent in the event of major structural failure, incapacitation of the pilot, or engine failure over mountainous terrain.
Regulatory categories
The aircraft can be flown under the microlight/ultralight regulations of several countries as well as the USA FAA Light-sport AircraftLight-sport Aircraft
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
rules, Canadian advanced ultralight and the European EASA
EASA
EASA may refer to:* European Aviation Safety Agency* English Academy of Southern Africa* European Architecture Students Assembly* European Association of Social Anthropologists...
Permit to Fly rules. Both aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
are high-wing designs using a 100 hp Rotax
Rotax
BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG , commonly known simply as Rotax, is an Austrian engine manufacturer. It develops and produces four-stroke and advanced two-stroke engines for Bombardier Recreational Products products as well as for motorcycles, karts,...
912S engine in a tractor configuration (the 80 hp 912 is sometimes used outside of the US).
In December 2009 the CTLS was granted a type design approval and a production certificate by the Civil Aviation Administration of China
Civil Aviation Administration of China
The Civil Aviation Administration of China , formerly the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China , is the aviation authority under the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China. It oversees civil aviation and investigates aviation accidents and incidents...
.
Operational history
As of December 2009, there were more than 304 CTs registered in the USA and 1,400 World Wide.One example was used by the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
in a round-the-world expedition. Wing Commander Rahul Monga started off on 1 June 2007 and finished the circumnavigation flight on 19 August 2007. The total flight time logged was 247 hours.
In 2010 the Air Volunteer Fire Department in Bomberos de Cuenca, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
took delivery of a CTSW for use as an air support unit for fire fighting reconnaissance. The aircraft is based at Mariscal La Mar airport, 8,300 feet above sea level.
Variants
CT
- Composite Technology - original model, production commenced in 1997.
CT2K
- Improved second generation model introduced in 1999 for the year 2000 (2K) to comply with UK microlight regulations, BCAR Section S
CTSW
- Short Wing version of the CT2K with a shorter wingspanWingspanThe wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
and redesigned wingtips, giving higher cruise speeds while maintaining similar stallStall (flight)In fluid dynamics, a stall is a reduction in the lift coefficient generated by a foil as angle of attack increases. This occurs when the critical angle of attack of the foil is exceeded...
speeds.
CTLS
- Long span version, announced in 2008. It improves on the CTSW in several areas, including a revised fuel system (improved fuel venting and standard-type fuel caps), a revised tailplane and upgraded landing gear as well as aerodynamic improvements.
MC
- Metal concept is a CT-LS fabricated predominantly from aluminium and intended for the flight training market. Introduced in July 2008, the MC has a lower cockpit sill for easier entry, is 5-7 knots slower than the LS, has 50 lb (23 kg) more useful load and 500 mi (805 km) more range.
CTLS-Lite
- CTLS with reduced features, lower empty weight and price US$20,000 lower. Introduced at Sun 'n FunSun 'n FunSun 'n Fun is a "Fly-in" and airshow held annually at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, usually during the second or third week of April....
2010.
CTHL
- High Lift variant for glider towing and floatplane use, announced at Sun 'n FunSun 'n FunSun 'n Fun is a "Fly-in" and airshow held annually at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, usually during the second or third week of April....
2010. It will be equipped with a turbocharged 115 hp Rotax 914Rotax 914-References:*...
powerplant, a 12% greater wing area, a larger stabilator and a full-aircraft parachute all as standard equipment. The price is forecast to be US$14,000 higher than the CTLS