N78BZ ("Buzz") is a Flight Design CTLS based at GGE near Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Formerly known as N545CT, Buzz is a very comfortable 2-person Light Sport Aircraft that cruises at 115 -120 kts (130 - 138 MPH) while sipping about 5 gallons of fuel (either unleaded 91 octane automotive gas, or traditional aviation fuel) per hour.

The aircraft is manufactured in Germany and Ukraine by Flight Design GMBH and is one of about 1,300 CT's flying around the world, including about 300 in the USA. CT's are the leading seller in the United States in the relatively new "Light Sport" category of aircraft, generally referred to as LSA's.

Performance: Under US law, LSA's are limited to a maximum gross takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds, a maximum cruise airspeed of 120 nautical miles per hour (138 MPH), and two people. For this reason, many of the popular models, like the CTLS, are made from high-tech carbon fiber and Kevlar to give maximum strength with minimum weight.

Comfort and Range: The width of the cabin is about 49 inches, or about 7 inches wider than a Cessna 182, making it a very comfortable plane for cross-country flying. With one person on board, it can carry 110 pounds of luggage and enough fuel to fly over 800 miles. With two people on board and light baggage, the practical range is about 400 miles (3 hours) between fuel stops.

Ballistic Parachute: The CTLS includes a rocket powered 'ballistic' parachute for the whole airframe that can be activated with a 'ripcord' within the cockpit in the event of a midair collision, pilot incapacitation, or other serious emergency.

*N78BZ* N78BZ, or "*Buzz*," is a 2008 Flight Design CTLS hangared at the Georgetown County Airport (GGE) close to Pawleys Island, South Carolina

	Formerly known as N545CT, Buzz is a very comfortable 2-person Light Sport Aircraft that cruises at 115 -120 kts (130 - 138 MPH) while sipping about 5 gallons of fuel (either unleaded 91 octane automotive gas, or traditional aviation fuel) per hour. The aircraft is manufactured in Germany and Ukraine by Flight Design GMBH and is one of about 1,300 CT's flying around the world, including about 300 in the USA. CT's are the leading seller in the United States in the relatively new "Light Sport" category of aircraft, generally referred to as LSA's. Performance: Under US law, LSA's are limited to a maximum gross takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds, a maximum cruise airspeed of 120 nautical miles per hour (138 MPH), and two people. For this reason, many of the popular models, like the CTLS, are made from high-tech carbon fiber and Kevlar to give maximum strength with minimum weight. Comfort and Range: The width of the cabin is about 49 inches, or about 7 inches wider than a Cessna 182, making it a very comfortable plane for cross-country flying. With one person on board, it can carry 110 pounds of luggage and enough fuel to fly over 800 miles. With two people on board and light baggage, the practical range is about 400 miles (3 hours) between fuel stops. Ballistic Parachute: The CTLS includes a rocket powered 'ballistic' parachute for the whole airframe that can be activated with a 'ripcord' within the cockpit in the event of a midair collision, pilot incapacitation, or other serious emergency.

The copilot likes it, too! And when the copilot is happy, everybody's happy. The plane has comfortable leather seats with lumbar support and adjustable headrests, lots of legroom, and absolutely amazing visibility. The strong carbon fiber wings do not require the diagonal struts used on traditional high-wing aircraft like Cessnas, so the view out the large windows is unobstructed, making it great for aerial photography too.



	N78BZ features a full glass cockpit featuring instrumentation that not long ago was available only to the most advanced airliners. Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS): The Dynon D100 EFIS integrates many of the traditional gauges and instruments into one comprehensive 7" high resolution display. Information about airspeed, ground speed, altitude, aircraft attitude, course, wind drift, etc., are all in one place. This gives the pilot tremendous situational awareness, reducing the amount of time eyes are focused in the cockpit and giving more time watching out the windows for other traffic. A Dynon HS34 expands the D100's capability and allows selection of the GPS or the VOR for course information, and makes entry of data for barometric pressure or heading and altitude bugs simple with a twist of a knob. Auto Pilot: The TruTrak autopilot is coupled to GPS for one-touch tracking of the programmed route of flight. The autopilot can also be set to maintain altitude or pilot-specified rates of climb or descent. Traffic Alert System: Just above the EFIS is a Monroy ATD-300 traffic avoidance system. This unit monitors the transponder replies from other aircraft in the vicinity and estimates their horizontal and vertical distance from this plane and sounds alerts when they are close. It is like an extra pair of eyes helping to spot other nearby aircraft. Backup Instruments: The critical electronics are also backed up by traditional, non-electric displays for airspeed and altitude -- just in case!
Engine Management System (EMS): The right side of the panel features a Dynon D120 Engine Management System which continuously monitors all engine activity, pressures, temperatures, etc., and displays both visual and audio alarms for any factors outside the normal operating ranges. It replaces up to 16 different gauges found in traditional aircraft. The EMS also includes fuel management by monitoring fuel burn rate and remaining fuel. The electronics are all backed up by old-fashioned sight tubes at the top of the cabin, letting you visually see the fuel level in each of the two 17-gallon wing tanks.

	GPS: The centerpiece of the avionics package is the amazing Garmin 696 GPS. This was designed by Garmin to be a kneeboard for pilots with traditional instruments in their plane. As an electronic flight bag, it includes all of the relevant charts, terrain, obstructions, airport taxi diagrams, even the AOPA Airport Directory. The bright, sunlight readable 7" display is mounted on the panel in portrait mode to give a terrific view of the route ahead. Satellite Weather: The 696 has an additional feature that makes all of the difference... weather! It includes a receiver for live XM Weather so you can overlay all current weather information right onto the moving map. See where the thunderstorms are right now, and view areas where there is lighting activity. Know the winds aloft and see the current radar. Very comprehensive weather information is great for in-flight decision support when you have to go to plan B. Real-Time Airspace Alerts: The XM service also includes on-map display of all Restricted Airspace, Military Operations Areas, and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR's) that create no-fly zones over special events, football games, presidential visits, air shows, etc. It makes it so easy to stay away from restricted spaces. Satellite Radio: One other bonus... XM Radio is built into the 696 so Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville is always available on long cross-country flights away from congested areas. Nice! Radar Transponder: The Garmin GTX327 transponder helps make the aircraft and its current altitude show up clearly on air traffic control radar screens. Navigation & Communications Radio (NAV/COMM): Rounding out the avionics package is the Garmin SL30 Nav/Comm for radio communications. A PM3000 stereo intercom driving Telex Stratus D50 ANR headphones delivers audio from all of the sources to both pilot and passenger



Here are some pictures of Buzz before he joined the family, when his numbers were N545CT.