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News & Media Flight Design advances Vision Zero

Flight Design advances Vision Zero

Goal is eliminating injury in accidents

July 24, 2019 By Mike Collins
Editor's note: This story was updated July 25 to correct inaccurate information about the avionics brands installed in certain aircraft models. AOPA regrets the error.

Flight Design is moving forward on designs for several new aircraft, integrating the company’s Vision Zero—which has as its long-term objective zero injury to aircraft occupants in significant accidents, said Tom Peghiny of Flight Design USA.

Flight Design is showing an electrically powered version of its new F2, the F2e, at EAA AirVenture. The F2e is flying under a German experimental authorization for flight testing. Photo by Mike Collins.
Flight Design is showing an electrically powered version of its new F2, the F2e, at EAA AirVenture. The F2e is flying under a German experimental authorization for flight testing. Photo by Mike Collins.

To accomplish this, aircraft will incorporate ballistic recovery parachutes, stall/spin resistance, sturdy fuselage design, and structure-mounted air bags. “We’ll have the first structurally mounted aircraft airbags,” he said. “We’re pretty proud of that.”

The company's newest product is the F2, displayed at the show, which will receive CS-23 Level 1 certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, as well as special light sport aircraft approval in the United States. “There will be an electric airplane, and a four-seater,” Peghiny added. The four-place F4 will be a fairly easy change from the F2’s design. The light sport version of the F2 is in the final stages of certification, and Flight Design is taking orders for the aircraft; the company anticipates deliveries by Christmas.

Flight Design is transitioning to prepreg carbon fiber for its composite airframe construction, instead of wet layup, Peghiny said—and future models will incorporate Garmin avionics, instead of the Dynon products installed in previous Flight Design models. More information is available on the Flight Design GmbH and Flight Design USA websites.

Mike Collins
Mike Collins
Technical Editor
Mike Collins, AOPA technical editor and director of business development, died at age 59 on February 25, 2021. He was an integral part of the AOPA Media team for nearly 30 years, and held many key editorial roles at AOPA Pilot, Flight Training, and AOPA Online. He was a gifted writer, editor, photographer, audio storyteller, and videographer, and was an instrument-rated pilot and drone pilot.
Go to Mike Collins's Profile
Topics: EAA AirVenture, Light Sport Aircraft

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