According to Mr. Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, and the Executive Management Team of Austro Engine GmbH, the certification of the E4 engine was achieved after 42 months of most intense development work and program costs of Euro 48 Million. “The complete program developed into one that was significantly more complex than originally anticipated. Only the full dedication of all participants, specifically the Austrian and European Airworthiness Authorities, MB Tech, Bosch General Aviation Technologies and our employees, enabled the successful conclusion of the certification process.”

The issuance of this Type Certificate represents a most significant milestone and secures the future of the company.

There are already 27 Diamond DA42 NG with AE 300 engines on the production line, whose type certification is also expected imminently. Following will be AE 300 powered versions of the DA40 and the DA50. Based on the high demand, the AE 300 powered version of the MPP will also be certified as soon as possible. For the existing diesel engine powered Diamond fleet, a retrofit solution to convert to AE 300 power will be developed and offered.

Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries, and Thomas Mueller, General Manager of Austro Engine, are confident of a good future for the companies, despite the current difficult times.

For more information, visit www.diamond-air.at and www.austroengine.at

Enjoy these stunning photos the whole year through…

Click here to order your 2009 Diamond Calendar!

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, based in Daytona Beach, Florida, has placed an order for ten Diamond DA42 L360 twin-engine aircraft. Diamond Aircraft will begin deliveries to Embry-Riddle in the Spring of 2009. The full fleet of ten DA42s will be in service at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus before the 2009-2010 academic year begins.

The DA42 L360 is the Lycoming powered version of the market-leading DA42 twin, that is in worldwide service with leading flight training schools and institutions. It is equipped with two counter-rotating Lycoming IO-360 (180hp) engines, the industry-standard G1000 glass flightdeck, and available flight into known ice certification (FIKI).

“Embry-Riddle selected the DA42 L360 because it represents the combination of a thoroughly modern airframe and the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, with a tried and true power plant that is Read the rest of this entry »

Next Bahamas Habitat Fly-In & Help Out weekend to Eleuthera in the Bahamas is scheduled for Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 8, 2009

January 26, 2009 — Bahamas Habitat announced today that the upcoming Fly-In & Help Out weekend to Eleuthera in the Bahamas is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th through Sunday, March 8th, 2009 and the organization is extending an open invitation to all interested pilots to join in this exciting mission.

“What makes this mission opportunity so unique is that the Bahamas are so easily accessible by general aviation aircraft and so in need that it provides the ideal opportunity for a mission minded pilot to give back to a community in need in an exciting and tax deductible way,” explained John Armstrong, Read the rest of this entry »