The Diamond D-JET Takes Major Step Toward Finishing Certification

Good grief, we hope this is a sign of better things to come, but a missive from Diamond Aircraft, possibly the only remaining GA manufacturer engaged in serious product development, tells us that the D-Jet program is back in the air. Diamond says that their  single-engine jet development program resumed flight testing of their D-JET prototypes, following their temporary grounding after a funding shortfall and significant employee furloughs in March, 2011.

quot;Our team's spirits are certainly lifted with the resumption of flight activities" said Peter Maurer, President. "Being able to bring back part of the team allowed us to resume flight operations and we are looking forward to finishing the campaign with 002 and 003, while in parallel finalizing detail design work and starting the production of conforming aircraft 004."

The one hour flight of D-JET 003, it's first flight since March 27th, 2011, included shakedown of aircraft systems, control sweeps, gear cycling, flap cycling, verification of navigation equipment and software, several touch and goes, and completion of some control system test points.

Powered by a Williams FJ33-5A turbofan, the 5 place D-Jet offers a 8500' cabin at FL250, a useful load of 2,240 lbs, and a maximum cruise speed of 315 kts. Needing but 15 minutes to climb to a service ceiling of 25,000 feet, the D-Jet offers a long-range cruise of 240 kts, allowing for a 1350 nm max range. The D-Jet is priced at $1,890,000 (in March 2009 USD), with final sale price subject to adjustment for current markets.

Diamond test pilot Mark Elwess reported the flight to be uneventful without any issues or aircraft snags. Completion of the flight test campaign for the prototypes will continue on a regular basis.

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com, www.diamond-air.at