You may have been wondering what happened to the Liberty XL-2 — the two-seat carbon fiber airplane that became the first piston-powered model to be certified with a Fadec-equipped engine in 2004. After a few years of hibernation the type-design was picked up by Melbourne, Florida-based Discovery Aviation, which has just reopened the order book for the airplane.
While the Discovery XL-2 is still essentially the same airplane as the Liberty, powered by the Continental IOF-240B, the panel has seen a face lift from the decade-plus old original design. The IFR-capable airplane will come standard with Garmin's G650 touch screen navigator, a GNC 255A Nav/Comm, GMA 350 digital audio panel and GTX 33 Mode S transponder. Optional add-ons include ADS-B, DME, ADF, autopilot and a glass panel upgrade with Garmin's G500 screens, which integrate with the G650 navigator.
Discovery Aviation's CEO Rick Cunliffe said the price for the XL-2 is set between $250,000 and $270,000 depending on the selected options. The Discovery Aviation team will be on hand next week at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, from June 15 through 21, at Booth #3A80-J in Hall 3 of the U.S. Pavillion. The XL-2 will be on display at AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on July 20 through 26.
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