You may remember a light two-seat airplane named the Liberty XL-2. The airplane was the first piston-powered airplane to be certified with a fadec-equipped engine, the 125-hp Continental IOF-240-B, which boasts a fuel burn of only 4.5 gph. The carbon-fiber two-seat design was bought by Discovery Aviation, which continues to build the airplane in Melbourne, Florida.
Discovery Aviation recently announced it is launching an advanced version of the XL-2. The airplane features Garmin’s dual-screen G500 flight display and GDL 88 ADS-B Out-compliant transponder, an STEC 30 autopilot, a Bendix King KN-62A DME, and Honeywell’s KR-87 ADF system. Discovery Aviation is focusing on the international flight training market and three new XL-2s will soon be delivered to an company in Seoul, Korea, which already operates a fleet of XL-2s.
The airplane is also available with round gauges along with Garmin’s GTN 650 nav/com, GNC 255 nav/com, GMA 350 audio panel and GTX 33 transponder. Unlike many two-seat airplanes, the XL-2 is IFR certified. 135 XL-2s have been built to date.
“This advanced XL-2 is just one of many improvements which we will see in the coming year and we are listening to our customers’ feedback and will provide the aircraft that the market demands,” said Discovery Aviation’s vice president of business operations, C.J. Corman.
