KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Diamond Aircraft has launched a single-engined personal jet, the Austrian manufacturer's first foray into the business jet market.
The single- and twin-engined piston aircraft manufacturer says the five-seat aircraft called the D-JET will fill a gap not served by the current line of new-generation aircraft and dismisses suggestions that the single-engined jet concept is unsellable.
"There is a large market from owner operators for a low-cost, single-engined jet with a proven, reliable powerplant which can operate from small airports across the world," says Michael Feinig, Diamond Aircraft managing director. The aircraft is also targeted at advanced training institutions.
VisionAire, the only other player in the single-engined business jet category, has yet to certificate its Vantage seven-seat personal jet which has been under development for around eight years.
Feinig says Diamond is evaluating three engine types in the 1,700lb (7.6kN) thrust range - the Williams FJ44, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615 and Honeywell's turbofan derivative of the LTS101 turboshaft. A selection is expected within six months. He adds: "The aircraft will be priced at around $800,000 and will be pitched against the Socata TBM700; New Piper Malibu Meridian turboprops and Raytheon's Beech Baron piston twin, for example."
The D-JET is projected to have a maximum take-off weight of 2,100kg (4,700lb) and a cruise speed of 315kt (585km/h) at its 25,000ft (7,625m) maximum altitude.
The aircraft will also have a fully integrated glass cockpit, with avionics supplied by either Avidyne or Garmin, says Feinig. First flight is scheduled for the middle of next year, with customer deliveries to start in early 2006.
"We expect to have an orderbook of around 500 aircraft when deliveries begin, and produce about 100 aircraft a year," Feinig adds. Research and development work will be undertaken at Diamond's Vienna facility, and manufacturing is likely to be shared between the company's two bases in Austria and London, Ontario, Canada.
Source: Flight International
