Diesel Twins Continue to Build Popularity Abroad

Turkish Airlines Flight Academy has made one of the biggest Diamond Aircraft hauls of the year, taking delivery of a pair of brand-new DA42-VIs and placing an order for 13 aircraft more.

The order includes half a dozen DA40 NGs, another 7 DA42-VIs, and a pair of convertible simulators. The DA40/DA42 FNPT II allows accurate, realistic simulation for students and instructors in either aircraft, giving students in the instrument phase of learning a much cheaper, safer place to make their beginner's mistakes. All in all, the Turkish Airlines Flight Academy fleet now sports 26 Diamonds, with a surprising breakdown of 12 single-engine DA40s and 14 twin-engine DA42s. The -VIs make for a pretty affordable twin, too, eschewing the traditional avgas in favor of Jet A thanks to their Austro Engine AE300s.

Academy CEO, Ibrahim Zeki Akyurt spoke highly of their new equipment. “Turkish Airlines Flight Academy is dedicated to training top-quality pilots to meet our airline’s growing needs. The new Diamond DA40 NG and DA42-VI aircraft simulators will enhance our training programs as the identical cockpits of the DA40/DA42 simulators will ensure seamless transition to real flight operations, reflecting our commitment to excellence in pilot training.”

“Diamond Aircraft would like to congratulate Turkish Airlines Flight Academy on the new aircraft purchase,” said Jane Wang, Sales Director, Diamond Aircraft Austria. “They will hugely benefit from the most modern piston training aircraft technology available today and Diamond’s operational cost efficiencies as well as low emissions and noise signature.”

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com