A_F_2015_03_04_

(^18) News
A Diamond DA50 powered
by a turbo-prop engine
made its first flight on 19
January 2015 in Wiener
Neustadt, Austria.
Christian Dries, CEO
Diamond Aircraft, flew
the DA50-JP7 along with
Ingmar Mayerbuch, Head
of Flight Test.
The original DA50 was
designed with an Austro
AE300 diesel engine.
The JP7 version is fitted
with a 465-hp AI-450S
turbine engine is built by
Ukrainian company Motor
Sich JSC in collaboration
with Ivchenko Progress.
Dries was enthusiastic
with the performance of
the new DA50-JP7, saying:
“This aircraft, with this
turbine engine, almost flies
like a rocket.”
Diamond Aircraft
is quoting an expected
cruise speed of over 200
kts, and an initial rate of
climb over 2500 fpm.
The seven-seat aircraft
will be manufactured in
two different versions: a
tundra variant with big
wheels and rugged landing
gear for uneven strips
and rough terrain, and a
second version targeting
training and private
customers requiring
high performance. The
DA50-JP7 is expected
to suit operations in
harsh climates with
temperatures ranging
from -50°C to +50°C.
The AI-450S engine
was designed especially
for fixed-wing aircraft. It
boasts a 20% lower fuel
burn than similar turbine
engines, and is said to be
particularly fuel-efficient
at medium altitudes. Dual
electronic controls and a
mechanical back-up system
(dual FADEC) make the
JP7 easy to operate.
Certification is
expected mid to end of
2016, after which the
DA50-JP7 will be built
at Diamond Aircraft
headquarters in Wiener
Neustadt, Austria.
Austro Engines is also
involved in certification of
the turbine engine.
Another single-engine turbo-prop is set to enter the market,
this time from Diamond Aircraft.
australianflying.com.au
AUSTRALIAN FLYING March – April 2015
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DIAMOND AIRCRAFT
The prototype DA50-JP7 on
its maiden flight at Wiener-
Neustadt in Austria.
Diamond tests DA50-JP