Fractional Program For Light Sport Aircraft Launches

Flight Design USA announced last week the creation of the CT Partners program. The program is believed to be the first fractional ownership program for light-sport aircraft (LSA) and is designed to help owners share the rising costs of plane ownership. CT Partners will allow up to 10 people to share a new fully loaded CTLS, a light two-seater plane. Each owner will get 50 hours of use per year including 10 overnights per person and contributes about $15,000 to own the airplane with no debt. The CT Partners management company handles the logistics of scheduling, 100-hour maintenance inspections, annuals and will pay the insurance for $350 per month. Light Sport Aircraft also weigh less than most aircraft which means they require less fuel to operate.

CT Partners program developer Robert Mann plans to lease the airplane to New England Flight Services, LLC in order to secure insurance for multiple owners. They will provide flight instruction to make sure each partner is competent in the aircraft. The first fractional ownership program will begin at the Danielson airport in Danielson, CT but Mann is hoping to spread the concept across the country and create a network among independent groups that could share planes.