BY CAM DAVIS WORDPLAY CREATIVE COPY & CAMPAIGNS ON DECEMBER 13, 2022

Since returning from the 2022 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — the nation’s massive annual summer gathering of aviation enthusiasts — RDD’s Co-Owner and Director of Marketing, Sales and Business Development, David McRae has been swamped with inquiries about the company’s LX7 personal aircraft.

“We had to take a two-year hiatus from Oshkosh due to COVID-19,” said McRae. “But after going back this year, I’ve been getting three or four calls a day from interested customers. As a result, we have developed quite a waiting list.”

Over the past several years, Redmond-based RDD has transformed the iconic Lancair IVP into the revolutionary LX7. This experimental aircraft delivers unsurpassed speed and performance with its turbo-prop reaching up to 315 KTAS (Knots True Airspeed) and its piston model achieving a range of up to 2,125 Nautical Miles in 8.5 hours, while offering critical safety features like an all-carbon-fiber structure, front seat airbags and a whole-aircraft parachute.

The excitement over the LX7 has created a two-year backlog of work for the tight-knit team of engineers and technicians at the company’s headquarters near the Redmond Airport. That type of demand has the potential to fuel tremendous growth for a company like RDD. However, as many other local businesses have found recently, hiring is not as simple as putting out a Help Wanted sign.

“First of all, we are pretty particular about the kind of men and women we hire,” said McRae. “But candidly, we are dealing with some of the growing pains that are common with other industries in Central Oregon.

“Of course, we can offer an incredible lifestyle, as well as competitive salaries for the aviation industry. Yet, when talented prospects from outside the area discover the cost of housing in the Redmond area, which has literally doubled since 2020, it can be hard to close the deal.”

There is no denying that COVID had a tremendous impact on the personal aircraft industry. With people being more self-centered and cautious of public spaces, flying without the hassles and health risks of commercial airlines has become very appealing. But with inflation, higher gas prices and a shakier economy, McRae doesn’t expect the current demand to last forever.

“We could see a downturn in the market in the not-too-distant future,” he claims. “So, we are already planning our next move that will give current LX7 owners and future customers an even better flying experience. On top of that, we will be able to develop it even more efficiently than our current operation.”

With some suppliers having delivery challenges of their own, McRae is somewhat coy about revealing when the company’s next venture will be launched.

“But when the time comes,” he says, “I’m sure the phone will be ringing off the hook again.”

About RDD:
RDD Enterprises is a premiere American-owned and funded aviation Research, Design & Development group with a rich aviation heritage serving the personal aircraft community. Our goal is to provide serious aviators technologically advanced aircraft and systems with impeccable safety and world-class support.

Located in Redmond, Oregon, RDD is proud to have been selected to help achieve aviation goals for a wide range of customers, from individuals to large corporations. Collectively, the RDD team has extensive experience with both experimental and certified aircraft in the areas of engineering, research, design, development, modification, fabrication, construction and customer support. To learn more about the LX7 piston or turbine models, visit lxaircraft.com or call David McRae, at 541-504-0305, extension 1.

Redmond, OR – RDD Enterprises, LLC is taking aviation to new heights for pilots operating under the new Basic Medical rules.
 
In particular, the LX7-20 is a 550 SHP Pratt and Whitney powered airplane designed to operate at 285ktas at FL180 with a 5000’ cabin altitude on 28gph Jet A fuel.  The company is also introducing the fixed gear model--whose name has not been determined yet.
 
“The design philosophy for this aircraft is based on aircraft safety, efficiency, functionality, maintainability, aesthetics and simplicity. The result is an aircraft that provides the operator with a level of “freedom” previously unattainable,” said David McRae, one of the company’s owners.
 
“The LX7 costs around the same as a new Cirrus SR22 G5 or Cessna TTx, will give the airplane much of the appeal of an FAA certificated high-performance single but with greater speed than you can find in a Part 23 model.” wrote Robert Goyer of Plane and Pilot. 
 
With the introduction of these aircraft, the LX7 family covers both fixed gear and retractable gear, pressurized cabin environments, and piston or turbine engine options.
 
The LX7 exceeds industry standards in every relevant category, with a list of features and advantages so long that the plane has its own website (check it out at LX7aircraft.com). 
 
Highlights include:

Handling: The LX7 expands on the aircraft manufacturing technologies that RDD has developed on experimental projects for Airbus and others.  This gives the LX7 a stall speed of 63 knots, resulting in dramatically improved handling characteristics compared to the original IV-P. 

Avionics: Standard equipment for the LX7 includes a two-screen Garmin G3X Touch Flight Deck, the latest in WAAS technology coupled to the autopilot, with envelope protection and an emergency level function.

Performance: The LX7 climbs at 2000 ft/min to reach cruising speeds of 260 KTAS @ 24 gph and 250 KTAS @ 18 gph.  The combination of speed and endurance will take you miles beyond where other aircraft have to stop for fuel, making your trip shorter and more enjoyable.

Range: Coast to coast without stopping?  It’s totally possible with the LX7, with reserves left over. This aircraft will take you over 2,100 miles before you have to make a fuel stop. Fuel capacity is 180 gallons.

Safety: Full-aircraft BRS parachute, Garmin EFIS with Active Traffic, Forward looking terrain, synthetic vision, and Satellite and ADS-B weather, AmSafe inflatable seatbelts for the forward occupants, and a pressurized cabin environment, single piece wing with dual spars.

“The LX7 offers owners an unparalleled combination of performance, safety, luxury and value,” added McRae. “There’s just nothing else like it out there. I’ve been flying since 1989 and this airplane is like a traveling machine dream come true. I can easily fly from our facility in Redmond to just about anywhere I want to go without refueling,” continued McRae. 

“And the comfort level is superior to the original IV-P due to the increased legroom and passenger space. Flying with pressurization and greater fuel capacity increase confidence and peace of mind when tackling long distance flights,” McRae concluded.

RDD (Research. Design. Develop.) Enterprises is a full-service aviation company based in Redmond Oregon. RDD has been providing expert ownership assistance for high-performance personal aircraft (certified and experimental) since 2006. 
 
The company has a reputation for balancing efficient production with creative solutions and customized detail. RDD completed the airframe construction for Airbus’ Perlan Project, a multimillion dollar collaborative project that is putting “engineless aircraft on the edge of space” (perlanproject.org).
 
You can learn more about RDD at RDDent.com or by calling 541-504-0305.
 
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​Redmond, OR – RDD Enterprises, LLC is taking aviation to new heights with its LX7 Aircraft Conversion experimental aircraft.
 
“The design philosophy for this aircraft is based on aircraft safety, efficiency, functionality, maintainability, aesthetics and simplicity. The result is an aircraft that provides the operator with a level of “freedom” previously unattainable,” said David McRae, one of the company’s owners.
 
“The LX7 costs around the same as a new Cirrus SR22 G5 or Cessna TTx, will give the airplane much of the appeal of an FAA certificated high-performance single but with greater speed than you can find in a Part 23 model.” wrote Robert Goyer of Plane and Pilot. 
 
And, as part of the growing product family of the LX7, RDD is introducing the -20 which is a 550 SHP Pratt and Whitney powered airplane. They are also introducing the fixed gear model--whose name has not been determined yet.
 
With the introduction of these aircraft, the LX7 family covers both fixed gear and retractable gear, pressurized cabin environments, and piston or turbine engine options.
 
The LX7 exceeds industry standards in every relevant category, with a list of features and advantages so long that the plane has its own website (check it out at LX7aircraft.com). 
 
Highlights include:

Handling: The LX7 expands on the aircraft manufacturing technologies that RDD has developed on experimental projects for Airbus and others.  This gives the LX7 a stall speed of 63 knots, resulting in dramatically improved handling characteristics compared to the original IV-P. 

Avionics: Standard equipment for the LX7 includes a two-screen Garmin G3X Touch Flight Deck, the latest in WAAS technology coupled to the autopilot, with envelope protection and an emergency level function.

Performance: The LX7 climbs at 2000 ft/min to reach cruising speeds of 260 KTAS @ 24 gph and 250 KTAS @ 18 gph.  The combination of speed and endurance will take you miles beyond where other aircraft have to stop for fuel, making your trip shorter and more enjoyable.

Range: Coast to coast without stopping?  It’s totally possible with the LX7, with reserves left over. This aircraft will take you over 2,100 miles before you have to make a fuel stop. Fuel capacity is 180 gallons.

Safety: Full-aircraft BRS parachute, Garmin EFIS with active traffic, forward looking terrain, synthetic vision, and satellite and ADS-B weather, AmSafe inflatable seatbelts for the forward occupants, and a pressurized cabin environment, single piece wing with dual spars.
“The LX7 offers owners an unparalleled combination of performance, safety, luxury and value. There’s just nothing else like it out there. I’ve been flying since 1989 and this airplane is like a traveling machine dream come true. I can easily fly from our facility in Redmond to just about anywhere I want to go without refueling."
—David McRae, Owner, RDD Enterprises

“The LX7 offers owners an unparalleled combination of performance, safety, luxury and value,” added McRae. “There’s just nothing else like it out there. I’ve been flying since 1989 and this airplane is like a traveling machine dream come true. I can easily fly from our facility in Redmond to just about anywhere I want to go without refueling,” continued McRae. 

“And the comfort level is superior to the original IV-P due to the increased legroom and passenger space. Flying with pressurization and greater fuel capacity increase confidence and peace of mind when tackling long distance flights,” McRae concluded.

RDD (Research. Design. Develop.) Enterprises is a full-service aviation company based in Redmond Oregon. RDD has been providing expert ownership assistance for high-performance personal aircraft (certified and experimental) since 2006. 
 
The company has a reputation for balancing efficient production with creative solutions and customized detail. RDD completed the airframe construction for Airbus’ Perlan Project, a multimillion dollar collaborative project that is putting “engineless aircraft on the edge of space” (perlanproject.org).
 
You can learn more about RDD at RDDent.com or by calling 541-504-0305.
 
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The Airbus Perlan 2 Glider achieved new heights today while soaring over the Andes Mountains near El Califate, Argentina. The specially designed craft, built by RDD Enterprises,  and piloted by Jim Payne and Morgan Sandercock reached an unofficial altitude of 53,400 feet.

"RDD is excited for the entire Airbus Perlan Team", exclaimed Eric Schmidlin. Eric was the RDD Project Manager and is the Head of Engineering for the Company. "To see the team achieve a new record is the great continuation of the milestones set by this project".

The maiden voyage video is posted below from the well attended event at the Redmond Roberts Field Airport nearly two years ago, September 2015. The aircraft was built at RDD starting in September 2014. From all of us at RDD, congratulations to the Perlan Team.

We’re glad you have stopped by our site. We encourage you to click through the site to discover what RDD has to offer to make your aircraft ownership experience a fun and successful venture. Whether you would like expert assistance with a build, experienced maintenance, or an upgrade to your existing aircraft, we are here to help ensure that your project culminates in a work of aviation craftsmanship.

​Experimental glider project shines light on Redmond aviation

​By Beau Eastes / The Bulletin / @beastes
Published Sep 24, 2015 at 12:05AM / Updated Sep 24, 2015 at 05:55AMThe flight plan to 90,000 feet starts in Redmond. 

The maiden voyage of the Perlan 2, an experimental glider that hopes to eventually reach 90,000 feet, came off without a hitch Wednesday morning at the Redmond Airport. Pilots Jim Payne and Morgan Sandercock flew the 1,800-pound sailplane 5,000 feet above ground once the glider was released from its tow plane. Total air time for the first flight of the Airbus Perlan 2 Mission — the international aviation giant is sponsoring the project — was about 35 minutes.

“This really fits in with the DNA of Airbus,” said Allan McArtor, the CEO of Airbus Group, the company’s North American business division. “The Perlan Project is about exploration, innovation and pushing the envelope. It’s exploring new boundaries.”

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By Thom Patterson, CNN — Oshkosh, Wisconsin (CNN) – A super glider is on track to fly to the edge of space.
​
Crowds of aviation enthusiasts gathered Monday to get their first look at Perlan 2, an experimental glider on display this week at the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Some onlookers wanted to touch the plane's strong, lightweight carbon-fiber fuselage. Others wanted to peer inside the tiny two-person cockpit.

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