Flight Design general aviation
Flight Design general aviation GmbH is a German manufacturer of carbon fiber composite light sport aircraft and ultralights (CT series, F2 family), sold exclusively through an international dealer network to flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners across 43 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersHainichen, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Flight Design general aviation does
Flight Design general aviation GmbH is a German aircraft manufacturer, founded in 1988 in Leinfelden-Echterdingen by Matthias Betsch, specializing in light sport aircraft (LSA), special light sport aircraft (S-LSA), and ultralight airplanes. The company is headquartered in Bensheim, Germany, with production consolidated at a facility in Sumperk, Czech Republic, and has been a subsidiary of China's Shang Gong Group since May 2024. Its product portfolio spans the long-running CT series (CTLS, CT2K, CTSW, CT Supralight, MC) — market leaders in most countries for over 25 years — and the newer F-series (F2, F2e electric, F2-M160), with 2,000+ aircraft delivered across 43 countries.
The company's core technology is pre-impregnated carbon fiber composite airframe construction, delivering lightweight strength with 130L fuel capacity and useful loads over 300 kg. Aircraft integrate Garmin G3X or Dynon SkyView HDX avionics as standard, and feature the Airframe Emergency Parachute System (BRS) from BRS along with a rigid carbon fiber safety cabin and CFD-optimized spin-resistant aerodynamics. The portfolio spans multiple certification frameworks (EASA CS-23, EASA CS-LSA, FAA ASTM LSA, FAA Part 23, CAAC China, DGAC India, 600kg Ultralight, ELA), with the F2e electric variant developed in partnership with Rolls-Royce/Siemens for EASA CS-23 and FAA Part 23/F44 certification.
Flight Design operates a hardware-sales business model through an exclusive international dealer network, with no direct-to-end-customer sales. Revenue streams include aircraft sales, spare parts, and factory warranty/authorized service center maintenance. Pricing is opaque and determined through dealers, with a website configurator available; operating costs for end customers range from €38.13/hour direct costs to €65-101/hour including hull insurance depending on utilization. The company sells primarily to flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa.
Flight Design general aviation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Flight Design general aviation
- Legal name
- Flight Design general aviation GmbH
- Website
- https://flightdesign.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Flight Design general aviation GmbH is a German manufacturer of carbon fiber composite light sport aircraft and ultralights (CT series, F2 family), sold exclusively through an international dealer network to flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners across 43 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Flight Design general aviation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Light Sport Aircraft & Ultralight Airplanes
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)
Keywords
Where Flight Design general aviation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hainichen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Flight Design general aviation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Aircraft Sales: Sale of complete Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA), and ultralight aircraft. Aircraft are available as EASA CS-23 type-certified, S-LSA, or 600kg Ultralight configurations.
- Spare Parts: Original Flight Design spare parts sold through customer care and regional dealers
- Service and Maintenance: Factory warranty service and authorized service center maintenance for aircraft
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | CTLS 2020 SE with Rotax 912 - Base model with 100-hp carbureted engine |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | CTLSi 2020 SE with Rotax 912iS - Fuel-injected version |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | European Operating Costs - Direct Costs |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | European Operating Costs - Total with Insurance |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | US Operating Costs - Direct Costs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
Flight Design general aviation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Flight Design designs and manufactures composite Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and ultralight airplanes — including the CT series (CTLS) and F-series (F2, F2e electric, F2-M160 MOSAIC) — built with pre-impregnated carbon fiber airframes, Garmin/Dynon avionics, and Airframe Emergency Parachute Systems. Aircraft are sold in EASA CS-23, FAA S-LSA, and 600kg Ultralight configurations to flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners through an international dealer network, with spare parts and authorized service support.
Product overview
Flight Design general aviation GmbH is a German aircraft manufacturer specializing in light sport aircraft (LSA) and ultralight airplanes. The company offers a portfolio of composite aircraft built with carbon fiber technology: the CT series (including CTLS, CT2K, CTSW, CT Supralight, MC) as the long-running market leader for over 25 years, and the newer F-series (F2, F2e electric, F2-M160) representing the next generation. Aircraft are available in multiple configurations: EASA CS-23 certified, Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA), and 600kg Ultralight. The company provides spare parts and service support through its global dealer network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- F2 Advanced light aircraft available in CS-23 certified, S-LSA, and 600kg Ultralight configurations, featuring carbon fiber composite structure, high aspect ratio wings with sculpted winglets, Garmin G3X avionics suite, and spin-resistant aerodynamic design for flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners.
- F2-M160 Latest F2 variant powered by a Rotax 916 iS turbocharged engine, with full Garmin avionics suite and optional Garmin AXIS integrated flight deck; designed for FAA MOSAIC regulations with 750 kg MTOW and approximately 300 kg useful load.
- F2e Electric aircraft variant built on the four-seat airframe with 100 kWh onboard energy storage, designed for EASA CS-23 and FAA Part 23/F44 certification, developed in partnership with Rolls-Royce/Siemens for electric propulsion.
- CTLS One of the most popular light aircraft in the world, offered as EASA CS-LSA Restricted Type Certified, 600kg Ultralight, or Compliant SLSA; features carbon/aramid fuselage, rigid carbon fiber safety cabin, four-point harnesses, and standard airframe parachute system; powered by Rotax 912ULS or Rotax 912iS.
- Original Flight Design Spare Parts
Quantifiable outcome
- Cruise speed up to 170 knots at higher altitudes for F2-M160
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Flight Design general aviation
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Flight Design general aviation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature6 records
Flight Design general aviation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Virazh FDCTcoreGER-KAZ joint venture between Flight Design and Kazakh partner Virazh to boost aircraft production. This strategic collaboration marks a major milestone in the company's growth and solidifies its position as a key player in the global aviation industry.
- Rolls Royce/SiemenscorePartnership with Rolls Royce/Siemens and other industry leaders for electric aircraft development. Flight Design offers viable and affordable platforms to reduce the cost of flight training and make electric-powered flight an economic reality.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Flight Design general aviation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Flight Design general aviation social profiles
Digital presenceFlight Design general aviation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Flight Design general aviation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Flight Design general aviation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Flight Design general aviation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Flight Design general aviation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Flight Design general aviation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Flight Design general aviation
What does Flight Design general aviation do?
Flight Design designs and manufactures composite Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and ultralight airplanes — including the CT series (CTLS) and F-series (F2, F2e electric, F2-M160 MOSAIC) — built with pre-impregnated carbon fiber airframes, Garmin/Dynon avionics, and Airframe Emergency Parachute Systems. Aircraft are sold in EASA CS-23, FAA S-LSA, and 600kg Ultralight configurations to flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners through an international dealer network, with spare parts and authorized service support.
Is Flight Design general aviation a public or private company?
Flight Design general aviation is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Flight Design general aviation founded?
Flight Design general aviation was founded in 1988. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Flight Design general aviation based?
Flight Design general aviation is headquartered in Hainichen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Flight Design general aviation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Aircraft Sales are the primary driver. The others are spare Parts and service and Maintenance.
Does Flight Design general aviation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Flight Design general aviation.
What industry is Flight Design general aviation in?
Flight Design general aviation's product category is Light Sport Aircraft & Ultralight Airplanes. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAE, Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABAAAC, Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3720.