European aircraft manufacturer Flight Design has announced it expects to fly the prototype of its F4 four-seat GA plane by the end of 2023.
The F4 is a composite, high-wing single to be powered by the new fuel-injected, turbo-charged Rotax 916. It will be certified in the FAR/CS23 category.
"One of the most exciting aspects of the F4 is its spacious interior.," Flight Design said in the announcement, made at AERO 2023 last week. "The aircraft boasts a large 4-seat cabin with a cabin width of 134 cm, which is significantly wider than the Cessna 172 (102 cm) and comparable to the Cirrus (124 cm).
"This provides a more comfortable and roomy environment for passengers, making it perfect for family trips or business travel. In addition to its spacious cabin, the F4 also features a large luggage storage area, ensuring that passengers can bring everything they need for their journey.
"The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics, including the Garmin G3X suite and an autopilot system, which makes flying easier and more enjoyable."
The F4 has a useful load of 450 kg, a range of 756 nm and a cruise speed of 145 knots. The aircraft is also certified spin-resistant and equipped with an aircraft emergency parachute system and airbags.
Flight Design first proposed a four-seat GA plane in 2011 with a proof-of-concept model for the C4. The C4 prototype flew in 2015 with a Continental IO-360-AF engine. When the company went into receivership in early 2016, it forced the C4 project into hiatus, but it was revived again in January 2022 after Flight Design certified the F2 two-seater.
Flight Design said they hoped to offer the F4 for less than €400,000.