Shandong Bin Ao Aircraft Industries, a joint venture between Diamond Aircraft and three partner companies in China, is targeting the second quarter of this year for attaining Chinese and European certification for its production plant in Binzhou Dagao, 350km (189nm) south-east of Beijing.
After receiving certification, the company will produce the turbodiesel version of the DA40 four-place single-engine aircraft with Garmin G1000 panel for China, and later for India and other Asian countries, at the 30,000m2 (98,360ft2) facility. Officials celebrated the opening on 8 December, more than a year later than planned. Chuck Glass, director of fleet sales for Diamond, says the gasoline powered version of the DA40 is not being offered due to the difficulty in obtaining 100LL fuel in the region.
Meanwhile Diamond last month unveiled its latest family member, the DA50 Superstar. Diamond says the aircraft will be an all-composite five-seater powered by a single diesel or gasoline piston engine of up 350hp (260kW). The only picture of the DA50 released (above) shows a fixed tricycle gear, four-blade propeller and T-tail with down-turned tips.
Source: Flight International
