A method that works well in computers or smart phones also works on Light-Sport Aircraft. As in tech fields, developers can add value to the main product with add-ons that increase the capabilities. Ready for showing at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 are two new products for the top-selling Flight Design CT series.

HAND CONTROLS - Flight Design Technik (technik@flightdesign.com) makes customs parts for hand-only control of the CT plus an underside cargo pod that can hold a wheelchair, folding bicycle or other items too large to store in CT's main baggage area.

"The modified control stick has two grips," said Frank Borrmann of Flight Design Technik. "The right handle is fixed and equipped with a push-to-talk button and a switch for throttle control. The left handle is moved forward for right rudder control and rearward for left rudder. As the left-side handle is moved, both rudder and nosewheel are controlled." The fore-aft/right-left actions are familiar, used as they are on sailplanes for many years and a few other aircraft with hand controls.

CARGO POD - Although the CT has twin baggage areas each able to hold up to 55 pounds of luggage (assuming weight and balance calculations permit), those areas do not accommodate larger items. For example, a pilot who uses a wheelchair cannot easily place the chair in the aircraft.

"To coordinate with our hand control, we added the Cargo pod," explained Borrmann. "Of course, if you do not need to carry a wheelchair, the Cargo pod allows room for a folding bicycle or up to 66 pounds (30 kg) of rather bulky items." The four-point mounting system allows a single person to assemble the Cargo pod in 10 minutes, according to Flight Design Technik. Empty weight of the 56 x 30 x 12.6-inch (or 1420 x 320 x 750 mm) Cargo pod is only 17.6 pounds (8 kg). The Cargo pod can be used up to 118 knots, only 2 knots short of the LSA limit.

Flight Design is a 23-year-old air sport products producer based in Germany. More than 1,300 of its aircraft are flying in 25 countries and more than 300 aircraft are flying in the United States. One of the first aircraft certified under the ASTM International standards, in 2005, the CT ("composite technology") remains the best-selling LSA in America through four consecutive years. CT in several models has been popular in Germany and Europe for more than thirteen years.