Since the light sport aircraft (LSA) category debuted in 2004, Flight Design has been its undisputed leader. Over the past 21 years, the German manufacturer has delivered nearly 2,000 aircraft worldwide—most of them the groundbreaking CT series, instantly recognizable by its aerodynamic “egg-shaped” fuselage. Compared to Cessna’s 152, the CT offered better performance, greater comfort, and a cabin 10 inches wider than even the four-seat Cessna 172.

By Jarryd Sinovich

In 2019, Flight Design unveiled its next-generation model—the all-carbon F2—at AERO Friedrichshafen. The premium two-seater quickly attracted orders, and under the FAA’s new MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule, the company calls it a near-perfect fit for the expanded category.

Production originally relied on skilled labor and cost-effective facilities in southern Ukraine for major carbon-fiber fabrication, with final assembly in Germany or the Czech Republic. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced a complex relocation of tooling, inventory, and staff to the Czech Republic—an upheaval that drained resources and delayed deliveries.

To stabilize operations, Flight Design secured investment from SG Investments America LLC, a U.S. subsidiary of China’s Shang Gong Group. Like similar acquisitions at Cirrus, Diamond, and ICON Aircraft, design work remains under existing engineering teams. F2 production will stay in Europe, with SG funding a new Czech factory near an airport and targeting a ramp-up from four aircraft per month by late 2025 to six per month thereafter.

In the U.S., distribution remains with Airtime Aviation of Tulsa, Oklahoma—the largest LSA dealer in America, now in its second generation of family ownership. Co-owner Tom Gutmann Jr. says the F2 Mosaic LSA will feature a maximum cruise speed of 135 knots and an MTOW of 1,650 pounds—a notable jump from current LSA limits, offering more payload and faster cross-country performance.

“Airtime handles everything from import to FAA compliance,” Gutmann said. “With a strong sales network and independent service centers nationwide, we’re ready to bring the F2 to American pilots looking for the next step in light sport performance.”