'Luxury' Aircraft Powered By Jet Fuel

Diamond's new DA50-V prototype, with a striking color design, made its public debut at the AERO Friedrichshafen 2017 just two weeks after its maiden flight. It will be the most modern, most efficient single-engine piston aircraft with the widest body and highest payload in its class.

"The DA50-V sets the benchmark in luxury, comfort and economy in General Aviation," said Christian Dries, CEO and Owner Diamond Aircraft Industries. "It’s the perfect aircraft for the demanding pilot who wants to go far without cargo restrictions.”

The all carbon fiber DA50-V is powered by a 260hp jet fuel engine from SAFRAN/SMA burning just 6.8 gallons per hour at 50% and has a maximum operating altitude of 20,000 ft. During test flights, the aircraft reached a maximum speed of 173 kts TAS and a maximum range of 1,020 nm. Maximum takeoff weight of the DA50-V prototype is 3,968 lbs offering a payload of 1,256 lbs.

With the wide, most comfortable and luxurious cabin, excellent payload, exceptionally low fuel burn and a standard installed Garmin G1000 NXi with GFC700 autopilot it will please private pilots, flight-training organizations and air charter companies alike.

Optional customized painting offers customers the possibility to stand out of the crowd with their very own colors and design. The eye-catching DA50-V shown at AERO Friedrichshafen is designed and airbrush painted by one of the top European airbrush designers, Knud Tiroch. Famous for his artwork for the Formula1 cars of the team Toro Rosso.

The DA50 will be available in three different variants: the four-seat 230hp DA50-IV, the five-seat 260hp DA50-V, and the seven-seat DA50-VII. The DA50-VII will be available with a jet-fuel piston, a gasoline or a turbo-propeller engine and retractable gear. Certification and start of serial production for the four and five seat model is expected in 2018 and the seven seat version soon thereafter.

(Images provided with Diamond Aircraft news release)

FMI: www.diamond-air.at