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News & Media Diamond announces all-new DA50 RG

Diamond announces all-new DA50 RG

300 horsepower jet-fueled engine, five seats

June 25, 2020 By Jim Moore

Power, leg room, and premium avionics are among the selling points of the latest offering announced by Diamond Aircraft, a retractable-gear single that climbs straight to the top of the company’s piston-single lineup with Continental’s 300-horsepower, jet-fuel-burning CD-300 up front.

The DA50 RG exterior design was created by pilot and digital artist Kirk Smith, the winner of a contest the company organized to produce the look. Photo courtesy of Diamond Aircraft.
The DA50 RG exterior design was created by pilot and digital artist Kirk Smith, the winner of a contest the company organized to produce the look. Photo courtesy of Diamond Aircraft.

The carbon-fiber airframe will be packed with features borrowed from Diamond’s DA62 twin: large, adjustable seats (two up front, and three in a second-row bench), gull-wing doors, and lots of room to stretch out. European type certification is expected in late summer, with FAA certification expected to follow by the end of 2021, the company said in a June 24 press release.

A premium interior can be configured in a range of styles, colors, and materials, and the DA50 RG will also offer options including a removable right-side control stick, an oxygen system, electric air conditioning, TKS deicing, and a Garmin GCU 476 keypad or built-in tablet mount. Garmin’s G1000 NXi flight deck includes a standard GFC 700 autopilot system. Diamond Aircraft Austria CEO Liqun Zhang said the new model aims to please private owners seeking a step up in luxury and capability in a single, as well as charter operators eyeing lower-cost alternatives to larger singles and twins. The CD-300 jet-fuel-burning powerplant is expected to use significantly less fuel than other engines with similar power.

A roomy interior with seating for five is part of Diamond’s DA50 RG pitch. Photo courtesy of Diamond Aircraft.

“Plus, the extra benefits of operating a jet fuel powered aircraft—much lower emissions compared to leaded and even low leaded aviation fuels and saving many gallons of fuel and money due to excellent fuel efficiency,” Zhang said in the news release. “We are convinced that our all-new DA50 RG will be the new star on the piston single market for private pilots needing more seats and space and charter operators looking for a low-cost alternative.”

The company did not release pricing details, and a spokesperson did not immediately respond to an email seeking that information. Diamond was far more verbose when it came to features and specifications, listing in the preliminary technical specifications a 181-knot top speed, 20,000-foot maximum operating altitude, and 1,232 pounds of useful load. Maximum range was listed at 750 nautical miles (including a 30-minute reserve), with a 9-gph fuel burn for maximum range. The DA50 RG will hold 50 gallons of Jet fuel.

Photo courtesy of Diamond Aircraft.

Jim Moore
Jim Moore
Managing Editor-Digital Media
Digital Media Managing Editor Jim Moore joined AOPA in 2011 and is an instrument-rated private pilot, as well as a certificated remote pilot, who enjoys competition aerobatics and flying drones.
Go to Jim Moore's Profile

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