Planemaker Adds Garmin Software Update, WAAS Retrofit Program

Diamond Aircraft is doing all it can to make sure it has a plane for any buyer. At AOPA Expo 2007 Thursday, the planemaker unveiled two new additions to its burgeoning product line, bookending its popular DA40 single line.

The new DA40 XLS is the top of the line, loaded model with a new Platinum Interior -- while the DA40 CS is a capable four-place constant speed version which customers can customize with a range of options to tailor the plane to their individual needs.

Diamond tells ANN the DA40 XLS retains the advantages of the DA40 XL -- great visibility, fuel efficiency, and pilot friendly handling characteristics -- while offering more room under a wider, higher canopy. Its Platinum leather interior features a long list of XLS exclusives, including a choice of leather colors, aluminum-framed genuine wood inlay accents, engraved brushed aluminum trim, carbon-fiber sill plates and a distinctive metallic striping package. (Observers will note many of these cues have trickled down from the planemaker's upcoming DA50... which sports an interior that even impressed Finfrock, and he thinks most Cadillacs look "cheap" -- Ed.)

The DA50 XLS' WAAS-enabled Garmin G1000 glass cockpit features Garmin FliteCharts and SafeTaxi, and other enhanced software functionality, including an ability to fly auto-pilot coupled procedure turns and hold entries, and to program Victor Airways into flight plans.

"Our DA40 XL has been our most popular model, and the DA40 XLS, with its enhanced interior, more space, and the VNAV capability of the GFC700 autopilot with WAAS GPS, is a personal aircraft which should be on everybody's shopping list," said Heike Larson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

The DA40 CS shares all the strengths of the DA40 XLS, and enables customers to configure the airplane to their needs, starting at a competitive base price of $259,950. Customers can choose the attractive, durable fabric interior, or upgrade to luxurious leather. Those looking for enhanced cross-country capabilities can add the Garmin GFC 700 digital autopilot, extended luggage compartment, performance landing gear and extended range tanks.

Diamond believes these options make the DA40 CS a great choice for individual owners, as well as for flight schools looking to add modern appeal and technology to their flight line.

Garmin Software Upgrade, WAAS Retrofit Program

Diamond also announced a retrofit program for the Garmin upgrades for its recent DA40 customers. All DA40s with the GFC700 autopilot are eligible to select from several upgrade options:

• A software upgrade which enables Garmin FliteCharts, SafeTaxi, Victor
  Airways programmable in to flight plans, auto-pilot flown holds and procedure turns, and other functionality improvements such as a ground track indication on the PFD,
• ChartView by Jeppesen geo-synchronized approach plates,
• A standard WAAS upgrade, and
• A WAAS upgrade, including VNAV en-route descent capability.

The upgrades will be available for retrofit in November 2007 for GFC700 equipped aircraft. KAP140 equipped aircraft require a separate STC effort, which is planned to be completed in early Q2, 2008.

Diamond is pricing these options aggressively, and is offering a special, limited time introductory price of $395 for the software upgrade, which includes FliteCharts and SafeTaxi capability. This offer is available exclusively to owners of DA40 XL aircraft, as well as other DA40 owners who have a GFC700 autopilot installed.

"We know that many pilots who have bought a G1000 equipped plane in the last year or so have been waiting eagerly for these upgrades, especially the digital chart option. We have chosen to introduce these features near simultaneously on production aircraft and for the retrofit market, and to offer an aggressive price, as a 'thank you' to our past customers, and to ensure that this safety-enhancing technology finds its way into as many cockpits as possible," said Larson. "At Diamond, we are proud of our industry-leading safety record, and dedicated to enabling our customers to keep flying as safely as possible, by providing them with the best technology available on the market."

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com