Liberty XL2: modern, roomy, comfortable, fun! Is this the future for flying schools looking for a 21st century trainer? Freedom of the skies for all!

DID you know it's 20 years since Cessna stopped production of its 150/152 two-seater? The aircraft which has trained countless pilots all over the world, including me, is now a near 50-year-old design. Imagine turning up to a driving school and being offered a 1958 Ford Popular? You'd laugh as you walked away. Gotta be kidding, right?

Fact is, there hasn't really been a major league alternative to the Cessna, apart from Piper's equally ancient but not so popular Tomahawk. Until, possibly, now, with the Liberty XL2.

You may know that the Liberty came out of the British Europa kitplane. Designed by Ivan Shaw, with airframe kit components manufactured in North Yorkshire, using an Austrian Rotax engine, the Europa is the UK's top-selling aeroplane with more than 1000 kits now sold worldwide. It's been a huge success.
But while the Liberty may resemble the Europa overall and in certain features such as the upwards opening gull-wing doors, there's a world of difference between them.