Flight Design factory responses to this forum's discussions

[Pilota del Cielo]

Greetings,
Recently posted a question about winter weather flying and cabin heat. This was prompted from a thread: http://www.ctflyin.com/viewtopic.php?t=1727
that had a lively discussion on how to deal with this problem. Some really good suggestions here from practical experience, but none-the-less a lot of work to get to a fix. It seems that there are issues discussed in this forum that can be addressed by design changes on new planes and mods for existing ones by Flight Design.

I'm curious as to whether Flight Design corporate monitors this forum and is responsive to changes that are worthwhile, would add value to and improve the marketability of the plane.

I'm pretty well sold on the CTLS, but I simply don't want to spend all my time fixing annoying problems your great minds and experience find solutions for that should be taken care of by Flight Design before I pick up the keys.
Many thanks,
Ron

[3Dreaming]

Ron, Flight Design is one of the best about making changes to improve the airplane. The changes from the CT to the CT2K to the CTSW to the CTLS were all major improvements. The new CTLS's now offer the Matco brakes as an example to them listening to the masses. The thing to remember is these airplanes are engineered to get the best balance between wanted features and weight. Most of the time these improvements come at the cost of increased empty weight. The brakes is a 2-3 pound increase. Pretty soon we will have an airplane that has no useful load and be complaining that it is to heavy.
The heater box in that airplane in the thread you brought up was not opening all the way. It operates by cable with a keeper on both ends and it had slipped. Sealing off the drafts is fine for winter operation, but I really like the airflow when it 95 outside like today. Winter prep is simple by taping over the openings, and plugging the holes for the flap tube. The CTLS is a great airplane and would serve you well summer or winter. Tom

[Pilota del Cielo]

Tom,
Many thanks for your response and good perspective. Was just palpating the forum to find out if there was a feedback mechanism to the decision makers at Flight Design. From my perspective it is the best LSA on the market. That's why it's my choice over all the others, but it can always be made better, and this site brings up so many problems and solutions of value to owners that it hopefully will make a difference in the quality/value thinking of the business owners for those like myself who are making a buying decision.
Ron

[John MacGregor]

You can count on the fact that Flight Design corporate monitor's this forum, not daily...maybe weekly? They do listen, but changes can just take time.
I don't think FD would really want to get caught up in the back and forth we enjoy on this open forum. Note: Cirrius forum is exactly the same. Rarely any comment from "the factory".

The important thing is all direct calls to FDUSA get right through, they take all the time needed to talk to you, stock most parts, ship, care, find out what they are not sure of, and do get right back to you timely. At least that has been my experience since the very day Light Sport became legal and I flew up and away.

[Pilota del Cielo]

John,
Thanks for your perspective. It is in line with other FD owners shared with me at Sebring this year. It makes a major difference to have this level of responsiveness in a committment of this type.
Ron

[imported_administrator]

Ron,

As owner of the forum I can assure you they see the many statements that are made here. Do they acknowledge or join in - no! BUT overall FD does listen and make changes. Information is gathered from all sorts of areas such as fly-ins, the board, shows, etc., etc.

The bottom line is I don't think you'll find a finer LSA company that does listen and is concerned about providing their customers the "best flight" for their buck!

And no, I don't get a dime from anyone for hosting this!

Plunk'er down and take one home - you'll fall in love like the rest of us!

[Pilota del Cielo]

Roger,
Thank you for hosting this forum and providing this valuable service to owners and those of us who will be. It makes the purchasing decision so much more informed and easy. I'm getting more and more comfortable with the information I absorb from these posts.
Ron

[TREKY11]

Hello Ron & Roger,

I hope that you are both doing well, and that you're out flying on a gorgeous day like today. (I surely did!)

My name is Derek Case, and I'm a Marketing Consultant for Flight Design USA & GmbH. I know that the entire management and staff at Flight Design are dedicated to 100% customer satisfaction with the CT & MC aircraft, and that they value your opinions & feedback. They DO audit the CT Forum, although they do not usually "enter the posting fray" as Roger indicated. Most of the time, pilot/owners can find the information that they need quite easily right here on the CT Forum (because of the fine work by Roger & others), so there's no need.

There are a number of other more effective & direct methods to contact Flight Design senior management, aside from the CT Forum, as Roger mentions: telephone & email being the fastest. There is also an email address set up so that customers can submit ideas, suggestions, photos, or fun stories to Flight Design. Customer.Voice@FlightDesignUSA.com
You will see this address on the top of all the 'Flight Line' e-Newsletters that are mailed out (roughly quarterly). Customer submissions are not only welcomed--but they're strongly suggesed.

I can't say enough good things about Flight Design, and I'm sure that you'll enjoy the CTLS immensely.

Best Regards,

Derek Case

[CharlieTango]

hey derek, was up?

[Pilota del Cielo]

Derek,
Thanks for the additional information. It was very helpful.
Ron