AUSTRIA'S DIAMOND Aircraft Industries is in renewed talks with Russian manufacturer Sokol, which could revive plans to move the Excalibur four-seat-aircraft programme into production.
Diamond is also examining a four-seat version of its successful DV 20 Katana light aircraft, and a completely new four-seat pusher-propeller aircraft, with a composite airframe, described by the company as "extremely avant garde".
Teledyne Continental Textron and Lycoming powerplants in the range of 110-195kW (150-260hp) are under consideration, alongside a Wankel Twin-Pac, which can run on petrol or kerosene.
The Excalibur, with a metal structure, started out as a joint venture involving an Italian partner alongside Diamond and Sokol. The programme ground to a halt over unspecified difficulties between the Austrian and Italian sides.
Diamond declines to comment on the problems, other than to say that they are now the subject of a court case.
Source: Flight International
