Flight Design, the Connecticut-based importer of Czech-built F2 CS-23-certified light sport aircraft (LSA), has announced that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has submitted the paperwork to the FAA for the aircraft to be validated in the United States.
“This is the important first step in bringing the F2 CS-23 to the United States,” said Tom Peghiny, president at Flight Design USA, in a statement. “We expect the certified version of the F2 to be even more popular than the S-LSA version, which was accepted by the FAA in June 2021.”
Flight Design USA is known for its LSA imports, starting with those classified as ultralights and later LSAs known as the CTLS. The carbon fiber aircraft, with its relatively wide cockpit and large windows, quickly became a favorite in the LSA market in the U.S.
The F2 series is the newest model from Flight Design. It is slightly larger than the CT versions. It has a larger wingspan and the cabin is a few inches wider, taller and longer which will likely make entry and egress less of an advanced yoga pose for pilots of a certain vintage.
The F2 features an all-composite airframe, passive stall and spin resistance, and advanced safety systems, including an airframe emergency parachute, panel mounted AMSAFE airbags ,and an all Garmin G3X avionics suite with Electronic Stability Protection (ESP).
“This is the important first step in bringing the F2 CS-23 to the United States.”
Tom Peghiny, president at Flight Design USA
The Flight Design F2 CS-23 version was certified by EASA in December. CS-23 is the equivalent of the FAA Part 23, the certification standard used for general aviation aircraft in the U.S.
The validation process allows EASA and other civil aviation authorities to submit certification packages for aircraft already certified under their authority to the FAA, this process leads to the aircraft certification in the U.S.
According to Flight Design, the recent update and rewrite of both Part 23 and CS-23 has improved the harmonization of the two standards and is generally accepted around the world.
Flight Design predicts the VFR F2 CS-23 will be attractive to flight schools that are looking for a more affordable option to add a new technology trainer to their fleet. In addition, Flight Design plans to bring an IFR version of the F2 to the U.S. and Canada—with proper certification of course.
In the meantime, Flight Design is gearing up to begin F2 production in Sumperk in the Czech Republic. The factory was temporarily closed due the invasion of Ukraine in early March of this year. Flight Design indicates the factory is intact and a small crew is currently onsite to produce spare parts.
