Coventry, UK-based Atlantic Flight Training (AFT) has just taken delivery of the first Thielert Centurion 1.7 turbo-diesel-powered Diamond DA42 to go on to the UK register. The aircraft has arrived nearly 12 months behind schedule because of modifications required by the European Aviation Safety Agency for the DA42’s instrument flight rules certification, says AFT director Matthew Margesson.
AFT began commercial pilot training with its DA42 last week, and Margesson says the type will reduce fuel costs to one-third of those required to fly its Piper Seminole because of the diesel-cycle engine’s efficiency and the fact that it runs on Jet A1 instead of avgas.
The flying school will take delivery of its second DA42 next month, also equipped with a full Garmin G1000 integrated avionics suite and full-authority digital engine control. Margesson says AFT will receive its third DA42 in the second quarter of 2006, but the company will keep the Seminole at least until the new twins have proved their reliability in the multi-engine instrument flying training role.
Source: Flight International
