May Be Used For Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor Certification

According to a national FAA Policy document (Notice 8000.331), issued this month, airplanes equipped with retractable landing gear, flaps and Full Authority Digital Electronics Control (FADEC) meet the definition of a complex aircraft and may be used for Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor Certifications.

That's particularly important to Diamond Aircraft... as it's DA42 Twin Star is the only aircraft that meets that amended definition.

"Some training providers have requested to use airplanes equipped with a FADEC system in their commercial pilot certification courses," the FAA Notice states. "We have received several inquires about whether these kinds of airplanes may be used for the airplane single-engine and multiengine ratings for commercial pilot certification or for flight instructor certification that require the use of complex airplanes."

"To date, the FAA is only aware of the Diamond Aircraft company’s DA42 that would qualify as the kind of airplane that is equipped with a retractable landing gear, flaps, and FADEC, and would meet the requirements of being a complex airplane," the agency continued.

Representatives with Diamond say the operating cost benefits of the DA42 -- which sports fuel-efficient turbo-diesel engines, coupled to a low- drag airframe -- are obvious. Whether the aircraft met the definition of a complex aircraft (flaps, retractable gear and variable pitch propeller) for conducting Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor Certifications, had been an issue.

The DA42 engines and propellers are FADEC controlled via a single "power lever", like modern turbine powered aircraft.

"We are very impressed with the FAA's quick response to clarifying existing regulations that were written prior to the availability of FADEC controlled piston engines,” said Chuck Glass, Director of Fleet Sales for Diamond Aircraft. "Diamond currently produces four DA42s per week, with many of them already in flight training operations internationally. We expect that this policy will increase the demand for the DA42 in the USA even more, as flight schools modernize their fleets," he added.

The award winning DA42 also sports an all-carbon airframe, Garmin G1000 glass cockpit and FADEC controlled turbodiesel powerplants.

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com, www.faa.gov