OBA Takes First Aircraft of Order for Thirty-five Liberty XL2’s


On Friday May 12, 2006 a ceremony was held by Ormond Beach Aviation to accept their delivery of the first of thirty-five Liberty XL2 aircraft. Additionally they have an option to purchase sixty-five more aircraft through a period of three years to replace their aging fleet of Cessna and Piper aircraft.

In attendance at this event were Congressman John Mica, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation; Fred Costello, Mayor of Ormond Beach; and Bill Partington and Ed Kelley, Commissioners for Ormond Beach.

Both Mayor Fred Costello and Commissioner Bill Partington had the pleasure of flying in the Liberty XL2. Partington is a student pilot who is in the process of obtaining his private pilot license. He has several training hours in both the Cessna 152 and the 172. After Partington took his first flight he stated, “The best way I can describe it for me is to say it was truly like a magic carpet ride. As a student pilot, I wish I had completed all of my training in this aircraft.”

Although Mayor Costello did not expect to fly that afternoon, he did, and upon landing he exclaimed, “I loved every minute of it!”

Adrian Thompson, President of Ormond Beach Aviation stated, “The current fleet of Cessna and Piper aircraft has served us well as training aircraft since the inception of the company. The new Liberty XL2, next generation aircraft, presents an opportunity for Ormond Beach Aviation to provide our customers with the most advanced training aircraft available and continue to maintain our exceptionally high standards in pilot training.”

Due to the high demand of students wanting to fly the Liberty XL2, Ormond Beach Aviation has increased their student rates to fly the Liberty XL2 and is booked throughout the summer months to come.

The Liberty XL2 aircraft has been designed to meet the growing demand for a new generation aircraft. It is the only production aircraft powered by a piston engine equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) which simplifies power management and provides greatly increased levels of safety, reliability and maintainability.

The XL2 features a carbon fiber composite fuselage, a wide 48-inch cabin and cruise speeds of up to 132 knots (150 mph), burning only 5 gallons per hour. The XL2’s modular design greatly reduces the cost of routine maintenance and repairs, with operating costs 40% less than most single engine piston aircraft.