18 April 2018
French company Elixir Aircraft is certify its all-new two-seater to EASA’s much simplified CS-23 type certification standards, instead of as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA).
The reason is simple, according to Elixir’s founder and CEO Arthur Leopold-Leger.
“Considering its performances, our plane would have shortly felt cramped in the CS-LSA,” said Arthur. “CS-23 allows Night VFR, IFR, re-engining, payload increase, straight opening to a greater number of countries… Elixir is full of potential, it would be a shame to deprive it!”
The work that Elixir has already carried out towards a CS-LSA standard is not wasted. Instead, it will all count towards CS-23 and, in fact, Elixir took the decision eight months ago but waited until now to release it. The company is still targetting early 2019 for certification and first customer deliveries.
Elixir has revealed the cockpit design for its new two-seater at AERO: simple but efficient with a between-the-legs stick for pilot and passenger.
“This regulation was there for almost 50 years, making certification of new aircraft more and more difficult,” explained Arthur Leopold-Leger.
“Imagine, to certify an aircraft it was common to break 4 to 5 prototypes during tests. Imagine spending as much money to certify a single two-seater as a premium 6-seater. Without change, the former CS-23 announced the slow death of light aviation.
“Aware of the concern, EASA and politicians took the subject head on. Objective: to revitalise certified light aviation, an important sector for the entire European aeronautics sector. What did they do? Allow the CS-23 to adapt to the types of aircraft. In other words, ensure that the means of compliance of a twin-engine 19-seater are not the same as those of a single-engine two-seater.
“Success! CS-23 now classifies the planes according to their number of seats and their speed. It leaves it up to the manufacturer to propose appropriate means of compliance.”
