3 April 2007
Flight International has reported that Diamond is hoping to fly its new DA50 within the next week, in preparation for its appearance at the Aero 07 exhibition at Friedrichshafen.
The five-seat aircraft is powered by a 350 hp version of the Continental IO-550. Diamond now says that the new aircraft is just that – a new aircraft, and not an upsized version of the DA40. It actually shares very few parts in common with its older sibling.
The company is suggesting that the DA50 has a variety of potential roles. As well as touring, it would be ideal for medical evacuation in remote regions, and for training in places where comfort is important. It would also be ideal for crew co-operation training, as its big flightdeck would allow two students to sit together with an instructor in the rear. This would, apparently, be on a par with simulator training as far as cost is involved.
A diesel option is being seriously considered, and there’s a suggestion that the engine in that case may be one of Diamond’s own – which would be a surprise.
Diamond is hoping to have the certification completed in about a year’s time, and then full production would follow within months.
