A huge order of 35 aircraft has been placed with Florida-based Liberty Aerospace for its all-new XL2 twoseat aircraft. The aircraft will be operated by Ormond Beach Aviation, one of the fast-track flight training schools based in the Sunshine State.

The XL2s will replace ageing Cessna 152s. It’s the first major fleet order for the Liberty XL2, a British designed aircraft which grew out of the Europa kitplane. Both aircraft and companies had engineer and designer Ivan Shaw as their driving force.

The XL2 is FAA certificated for both VFR and IFR flight, and features an innovative steel tube sub-frame under a composite airframe body. It’s claimed to substantially reduce maintenance and repair times.

The XL2 is powered by a 125hp Continental IOF-240 engine equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) which provides computer- controlled electronic ignition and sequential port fuel injection.

Ormond Beach Aviation (OBA), operating from Ormond Beach Airport on the east coast of Florida, is one of the largest JAA training establishments in the world, offering JAA and FAA PPL, Instrument, Multi- engine and ATPL ratings.

Adrian Thompson, the British founder and president of OBA, said: “We evaluated several aircraft for our fleet replacement.
The Liberty XL2 met and exceeded our requirements in all areas of evaluation, particularly in respect to its low maintenance cost, plus performance and economy.

“Show me another aircraft that cruises at 130 knots, burns five gallons an hour and [on which] you can fully complete a 100-hour inspection in less than eight man hours. “We believe the XL2 to be perfect for training and rental – and our bottom line.”
W: www.libertyaircraft.com