Utah State University Selects DA40-FP, DA42

Aero-News learned this week that Utah State University (USU) took delivery of 10 DA40-FP Diamond Stars, with a pair of DA42 Twin Stars to follow in August 2006. The fleet will be used exclusively in USU's Professional Pilot Program.

All the DA40-FPs (for 'fixed prop') and DA42s are equipped with Garmin's G1000 integrated avionics system that incorporates all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic and Engine Instrumentation and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) data on two 10.4 inch LCDs.

"These modern aircraft will allow USU to train flight students in the safest and most advanced training aircraft available today, and will also support the University's agenda for advanced research into a number of aviation related areas," said Dr. Rick Charles, USU's Director of Aviation.

For Diamond, placement of these aircraft with USU further validates the company's claim it offers the most comprehensive fleet of modern training aircraft out there -- the economical DA20, the G1000 glass cockpit equipped DA40 Diamond Star and the technology leading turbo-diesel DA42 Twin Star. The company also offers Certified Diamond-specific Flight Training Devices, with multichannel wrap-a-round visual systems.

"We are of course delighted to have yet another fine training institution select Diamond for its equipment needs. The cockpit commonality between the singles and twins will reduce training time and the modern composite airframes will reduce unscheduled downtime and maintenance costs vs the older fleet that is being replaced", said Chuck Glass, Diamond's Director of Fleet Sales.

FMI: www.usu.edu, www.diamondaircraft.com