The Flight Design C4 is a German four seat, high-wing, single engine light aircraft under development by Flight Design of Leinfelden-Echterdingen. In February 2011 the company announced that it was developing a four-seat design. The C4 was introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen 2011 show. The company finalized the design features through an on-line survey to determine the features and performance that potential customers were looking for in a new aircraft. A full-sized exterior mock-up was also displayed at AirVenture 2011. The aircraft first flew on 9 April 2015. The aircraft is an all-composite design developed from the two-seat Flight Design CT family. The structure will be a carbon, Aramide and glass sandwich structure. The wing will be a one-piece cantilever design. Cabin access will be through two doors, hinged at the front, plus a baggage compartment door. Seating is individual front seats, with a rear folding bench seat. Design engines will be the Continental IO-360-AF of 180 hp (134 kW) and maybe the Thielert Centurion 2.0 turbocharged diesel of 155 hp (116 kW). The propeller will be a composite constant speed type. The C4's design empty weight is 600 kg (1,323 lb), with a gross weight of 1,200 kg (2,646 lb). A full-aircraft Ballistic Recovery Systems parachute system will be standard equipment. In 2014 the Garmin G3X was selected as the aircraft's avionics suite. Maximum cruise speed will be 296 km/h (160 kn) with the Continental engine and 269 km/h (145 kn) with the Thielert powerplant, although the latter will provide 3,151 km (1,701 nmi) range. Optional equipment will be available that will allow the aircraft to be used in the glider or banner towing role or on floats. An ice protection system is under consideration by the company for future incorporation into the design. For details of the development of this aircraft, click here.
