13 March 2009
Diamond has received EASA Type Certification for its DA42 NG, powered by the 170hp Austro Engine AE-300.
The engine itself was <a href=’http://www.flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=842′ target=’_blank’>approved earlier this year</a>.
The news is something of a victory for Diamond, whose very existence had been threatened by the bankruptcy of former engine supplier, <a href=’http://www.flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=725′ target=’_blank’>Thielert</a>.
“We are delighted to be able to resume volume deliveries of the DA42, less than 11 months after the insolvency of TAE,” says Diamond’s Christian Dries. “The DA42 NG is better in every respect with much improved performance, increased gross weight, even better fuel efficiency and the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot and is prepared for Garmin Synthetic Vision System. With over 40 airframes already in various stages of production, we will be delivering the first aircraft almost immediately. ”
The company is also promising to focus efforts on existing owners, aiming to create an upgrade path to the Austro Engine for existing airframes and an upping of the engine’s TBO from 1,000 to 2,000 hours.
Over 500 DA42s have already been delivered worldwide.
