Diamond DA62 Twin Now EASA-Certified

(Corrected)

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Diamond DA62

Diamond brought its DA62 twin to Aero Friedrichshafen this week, where an EASA official arrived on Thursday afternoon to ceremoniously present its type certificate. Diamond CEO Christian Dries said he already has a dozen orders in hand, and plans to ramp up production to about one per week by early next year. The airplane, which has been in development for about three years, seats five to seven, and is driven by two Austro AE330 turbocharged 180-hp diesel engines. It cruises at 180 knots and has a maximum range of 1314 nm. The company already has orders for 12 of the airplanes, Dries said, and he added that his goal for next year is to build one per week.FAA certification is expected to follow soon.The DA62 sells for1.05 million or $1.13 million.AVweb’s Paul Bertorelli flew the airplane in 2013, when it was called the DA52;click here for that video report.

Diamond CEO Christian Dries accepts the DA62 type certificate from an EASA official.

Diamond DA50-JP7 turboprop

In a press update at the show, Dries said the company is working on several projects for military applications, including unmanned and optionally piloted systems. His engineers are continuing to develop the electric-powered DA36 E-Star, he said, which first launched in 2011. The E-Star program is for testing only, not for commercial development, he said, although that could change if battery capabilities improve. Dries also said the company is involved in building a new factory in China, and starting in 2017, the Katana will be built there exclusively. Diamond also brought its DA50-JP7 turboprop to Aero, fresh from its first flight in January.

Click here for the video.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said the airplane will appear at Sun ‘n Fun. It will not.

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