Leaving little doubt regarding their first-place position among all suppliers of Light-Sport Aircraft, Flight Design showed an upgraded model of the top-of-the-line CTLS Light-Sport Aircraft at Sebring 2010. The deluxe CTLS comes with with an even-more-loaded instrument panel, a longer engine life, and an upgraded interior treatment.

"Visitors to our exhibit space at Sebring 2010 were very enthusiastic," reported National Sales Manager, John Gilmore. "Our CTLS was outfitted with gorgeous new avionics from Dynon and Garmin and boasted a warmer, color-coordinated interior from Flight Design.

In addition to the handsome brown leather seats with complementary interior panels and carpet, the 2010 CTLS had an instrument panel to rival aircraft like the Cirrus SR-22, which can cost four times as much as a fully-loaded CTLS. Two brand-new 10-inch Dynon display screens featuring synthetic vision capability flank the large Garmin 696 GPS and offer occupants much more information in a user-friendly style. Garmin radios are stacked in the center and an autopilot completed the advanced panel, on which not one round analog gauge was seen.

"I was skeptical about SkyView until Dynon made a presentation at our distributor-dealer meeting Monday after the Sebring Expo. Later I flew the SkyView-equipped CTLS and I was really impressed," said Tom Peghiny, president of Flight Design USA. "I thought it kind of looked like a video game on the ground but in the air the situational awareness is remarkable." SkyView is optional; the amply-equipped base CTLS comes with dual 7-inch Dynon screens and Garmin 496 GPS.

In addition to the interior and impressive instrument panel, the CTLS on display at Sebring had a decal boasting the new 2,000-hour Time Between Overhaul (TBO) life of the 100-hp Rotax engine that makes the CTLS such a hot performer. Previously, Continental or Lycoming engines had an edge in TBO period though both powerplants are heavier and more costly. "The playing field is now level," declared Gilmore. Visitors to the exhibit were pleased to see this development as it adds value to their aircraft.

Flight Design is a 23-year-old air-sport products producer based in Germany. The company remains the worldwide market leader thanks to its well-received CT series of light aircraft. More than 1,500 of these aircraft are flying in 39 countries. One of the first aircraft certified under ASTM International standards in 2005, the CT ("composite technology") remains the top-selling LSA in America through five consecutive years. Flight Design sold the first LSA to India and was the first LSA to earn Chinese Type Design Approval. A newer model, the MC (metal concept), has generated excitement in the market.