Offer Includes $1.99/Gallon Avgas For First 200 Hours

Diamond Aircraft and its distributors announced Tuesday plans to add a financial incentive for 'going green,' with a special promotion on the DA40 XLS.

For buyers who order a new DA40 XLS between October 1 and November 30, and take delivery by December 31, the Diamond team will buy-down fuel costs to $1.99 per gallon for the first 200 hours/18 months, whichever comes first -- contributing extra "green" cash towards the purchase of what the company says is already a truly "green," fuel-efficient airplane.

"Like all Diamonds, the DA40 XLS is a very fuel-efficient aircraft: it burns only 10 gph, and cruises at 150+ knots. That's a 50% better fuel efficiency then some old-design aircraft competitors," said Heike Larson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Diamond. "With this excellent fuel efficiency, the DA40 XLS becomes the savvy and responsible choice in this day and age of high fuel prices. And, of course, this fuel efficiency makes it possible for us to make this unique offer to our customers."

At current fuel prices, the $1.99 fuel buy-down represents a value of about $8,000 -- enough for a typical DA40 buyer to fly with $1.99 fuel for their first 12-18 months of aircraft ownership.

In addition to this $8,000 value, buyers are also eligible for a $2,000 training credit offered by Diamond -- enough to get 40 hours of training towards an IFR ticket. Buyers also qualify for up to $300,000 in 2008 tax write-offs on a DA40 XLS... which can mean over $100,000 back on a qualifying buyer's 2008 tax return, based on provisions of the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act 2008.

"The DA40 XLS has been a very popular aircraft for us, especially since fuel prices have increased so dramatically. We are very happy that we can do our part to alleviate some of that pain for new DA40 XLS owners," said Dan Eldridge, General Manager at Great Lakes Diamond Aircraft Sales. "After all, we are pilots ourselves, and as passionate as our customers about taking these beautiful planes up in the sky. The last thing we want is for fuel prices to make people think twice about taking flight -- and with this offer, new DA40 owners can just get up and go, without worrying about the pocket book."

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com