The new Flight Design MC, introduced this week at EAA AirVenture, is the 2009 Sweepstakes plane, thanks to the generosity of Flight Design GmbH and Flight Design USA and their support of EAA's youth initiatives. Flight Design USA President Tom Peghiny handed the keys to the plane to EAA President Tom Poberezny in a ceremony on Friday evening, August 1.

In donating the airplane, Peghiny said, "We're pleased to offer this aircraft to EAA for its 2009 sweepstakes in recognition of the association's efforts in promoting the development of the light-sport aircraft category. We're also happy to support EAA's sweepstakes, which raises funds to support EAA's youth activities and other programs."
In accepting the airplane, Poberezny said, "EAA truly appreciates Flight Designs recognition of our efforts to make the sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rules a reality. It was a long, arduous process, but we were successful because of the hard work of many." Poberezny then acknowledged Peghiny's leadership in the LSA movement, particularly his involvement with the development of the ASTM standards.

The high-wing 2009 MC was introduced on Monday, July 28, on AeroShell Square. Flight Design says the MC (Metal Concept) is designed for people who love flying and want some utility in their aircraft. It features a 51.6-inch wide cabin, with a steel airframe in the cockpit area covered by a carbon fiber shell. The wing and aft fuselage are aluminum. The aircraft is available with standard steam gauge instruments or full glass panel. A whole airframe emergency parachute is standard. Base price is $98,000 at the current euro exchange.

"We know many pilots and flight schools like an airframe construction they are used to maintaining and repairing, said Matthias Betsch, president of Flight Design GmbH, "thus we embraced the concept of building a metal airplane. It combines performance and utility in a pleasing package that continues the Flight Design look."

The airplane has a maximum cruise speed of 115 knots, a takeoff run of 780 feet, and range of about 500 nautical miles on 25.4 gallons of fuel, with a useful load of 520 pounds. "The MC is fully ready and will enter production immediately, with deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2009," said Betsch. "That is our company policy-to not introduce an airplane until it is fully ready for production."

AirVenture attendees began crowding around the plane as soon as Flight Design employees began attaching the "Win Me" stickers to the plane earlier on Friday afternoon. "Lots of people were very excited to learn that this plane would be the sweepstakes prize next year," said Ken Godin, Flight Design sales manager. They wanted to know when and where they could begin entering." The answer to that question is mid-October according to Matt Miller of EAA's Development Office. Watch EAA's website and magazines for more information.

You can look over the 2009 EAA Sweepstakes airplane at the Flight Design exhibit (5,6,12, 13) on the south side of AeroShell Square near the main gate. At 3 p.m. on Sunday, the aircraft will be moved to AeroShell Square for more viewing.