Engine Swap Pushes First Deliveries To Q2 2009

It'll be a little later... but also a lot more powerful. Diamond Aircraft announced Thursday the company has selected a newer, higher nominal thrust engine for its D-Jet -- the Williams FJ33-4A-19 -- and will deliver all D-Jets equipped with the uprated powerplant.

The engine's advantages include several technological advances that result in better bleed air handling and improved specific fuel consumption. With a 1,900-lb nominal thrust versus 1,564 lbs for the originally planned FJ33-4A-15, the FJ33-19 also offers a potential future performance upgrade path for the D-Jet, according to the company.

Diamond says a ramped-up development schedule at Williams makes it viable to launch D-Jet deliveries with the -19 powerplant, "rather than reactively introducing it at a later date in response to competitive pressures."

The engine swap will push the first D-Jet deliveries into Q2 2009 -- Diamond's original schedule called for deliveries to start later this year -- but Diamond President Peter Maurer says customers will receive a more capable aircraft for waiting.

"The FJ33-19 engine is the perfect match for the D-Jet, offering the latest technology and a potential performance and utility upgrade path for delivered aircraft that the current engine just doesn't allow," said Maurer. "While making this change now rather than later means that initial deliveries will now be in Q2, 2009, we are confident this is the right choice and in the interest of all D-Jet customers, as it ensures one configuration and maximum resale value for all delivered aircraft."

Diamond will deliver the FJ33-19-equipped aircraft to current position holders at the contracted price; however, the company announced that a price increase for future orders is expected shortly.

"The FJ33-19 is the very latest in turbofan engine technology and offers unique features never before available on a smaller turbofan engine," said Matt Huff, Vice President of Business Development at Williams International. "We are pleased that our accelerated development schedule for this engine now makes it feasible for Diamond to launch with the FJ33-19, instead of introducing it after initial aircraft deliveries. Every D-Jet customer will now benefit from technological advances, such as the built-in pre-cooler and new compressor technology."

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com, www.williams-int.com