Flight Design USA Assets Sold, Airtime Aviation Takes on Distributorship

Thursday, September 08, 2022 at 05:33 PM ET

Verified

The Flight Design F2 has transferred to the company’s production facilities in the Czech Republic for manufacturing while the primary plant in Kherson, Ukraine, remains in harm’s way. [Credit: Glenn Watson]

Key Takeaways:

Airtime Aviation has acquired the U.S. distributorship and assets for Flight Design aircraft from Flight Design USA, with the new owners having a long-standing relationship with the brand.
Flight Design's aircraft production facilities relocated from Ukraine to the Czech Republic due to the Russian invasion, causing delivery delays but with manufacturing resuming and strong sales reported.
The Flight Design F2 light sport aircraft, currently operating under S-LSA, is pursuing FAA Part 23 certification and eventual IFR capabilities to expand its utility for flight training and commercial operations.

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The longtime U.S. distributor and importer for Flight Design’s line of single-engine piston airplanes has handed the baton to a new principal. Airtime Aviation, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has acquired the assets of Flight Design USA. Tom Gutmann Sr. and Tom Gutmann Jr.—father and son—share ownership of Airtime Aviation.

“We’ve closed down Flight Design USA,” said that company’s founder, Tom Peghiny, in an update to FLYING on Wednesday. “Airtime bought the inventory and equipment.” Peghiny also verified that Airtime Aviation would secure the importer license as well, to help ensure the smooth transfer of current orders to the new distributor. “They are the right group to handle [the F2 and other models],” said Peghiny, who will continue on as a consultant.