Diamond earns European certification of 'flagship' single
Diamond Aircraft announced receiving certification in Europe for a five-place, retractable-gear airplane that will take its place as the flagship of the company’s single-engine line.
The new jet-fuel-burning model certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the Diamond DA50 RG, powered by a Continental CD-300-horsepower twin-turbocharged, liquid-cooled six-cylinder diesel engine with a common rail direct injection system, dual full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system, integrated gearbox, and propeller governor.
“We are extremely proud to have received EASA type certification for our single engine flagship, the DA50 RG. The Diamond Aircraft team has done a tremendous job to make this possible,” said Liqun Zhang, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Austria. “With the DA50 RG we are introducing an innovative 21st-century retract single that we are convinced the market is missing. Bringing the aircraft to the market is a great accomplishment that we are very pleased to celebrate with our Diamond Aircraft Family and the aviation community all over the world.”
Zhang said Diamond has noted “huge interest” from the marketplace since the aircraft made its public debut in June, when AOPA reported preliminary specifications including a 181-knot top speed, 20,000-foot maximum operating altitude, a 50-gallon fuel capacity, and 1,232 pounds of useful load.
The DA50 RG’s avionics package features the Garmin G1000 NXi with standard three-axis GFC700 autopilot. The aircraft’s pricing was not disclosed in the certification announcement.
Initial deliveries in Europe were expected in the first quarter of 2021, with a goal of earning U.S. certification from the FAA by the end of 2021.
