Flight Design F2 earns EASA certification

The F2’s CS-23 certification opens the door to U.S. FAR Part 23, Level 1 certification under newly reformed internationally standardized guidelines. This will allow the airplane to fly under instrument flight rules—and eventually, in instrument meteorological conditions. This would greatly enhance the F2’s value as a trainer.

The F2’s modern features include a wide, comfortable cabin; stall- and spin-resistant flight characteristics; AmSafe panel-mounted airbags; and Garmin’s ESP (electronic stability and envelope protection). Other safety features include an airframe ballistic emergency parachute and a reinforced passenger compartment. All these safety measures are part of what Flight Design calls its “Vision Zero” concept aimed at implementing all available safety technologies. The instrument panel features Garmin’s G3X avionics suite, and power is from a fuel-injected 100-horsepower Rotax 912iS. A two-axis autopilot is also standard, as are improved main-gear struts and nosewheel linkage.

The price of the IFR-certified version of the F2 is currently set at $279,000; the day/night VFR version should be $239,000.

The F2 also foreshadows two other new designs: the electrically powered F2e and the four-seat F4. These are planned for entry into service in 2022.

“We couldn’t be happier to see this important step for the F2 program, which will ultimately lead to the F4 four-seat version and the all-electric F2e,” said Matthias Betsch, head of Flight Design’s design organization and creator of the F series.

“We are very pleased to see the F2 EASA CS-23 certified,” said Flight Design General Aviation CEO Daniel Guenther. “This is an important milestone for our business and a tribute to the hard work by the F2 design team.”

The F-series program was featured in the January issue of AOPA Pilot.