Austro Engine, Lycoming-Powered Twins Comprise New
Offerings
At Oshkosh on Monday, Diamond provided more details on its plans
to introduce two successor models for the beleaguered,
Thielert-powered DA42 tdi -- the Austro AE 300-powered DA42
NG, and the DA42 L360 -- a 180 hp per side, normally aspirated,
Lycoming IO360 version specifically designed for the North American
market.
Equipped with turbo-diesel, 170 hp AE300 engines by Austro
Engine GmbH (AEG), the DA42 NG offers 26% more engine power, and
promises to outperform its predecessor in take-off performance,
climb performance, single-engine performance and, speed. At the
same time, the AE 300 offers up to 15% better specific fuel
consumption at economy power settings, according to Diamond.
Closely affiliated with Diamond, Austro Engine GmbH was
established in 2007 to create a new generation of general aviation
powerplants. The company is developing the AE 300 engine with key
technology partners, including MB Tech (Mercedes Benz) and
Bosch.
Diamond says European certification of the AE 300 is well under
way: Diamond aircraft from the DA40, to the DA50 Magnum and DA42
have been flying with Austro engines since early 2008, and
engine-level EASA certification is expected in fall 2008. Diamond
plans to certify the engine on the DA42 under EASA by late 2008,
with FAA certification expected by fall 2009.
The 170 hp AE 300 engine incorporates a number of key
advancements over the Thielert engine, including an improved
gearbox with a torsional vibration damper instead of a friction
clutch, designed to offer gearbox life of 2,4000 hours. A new,
four-point engine mount is also featured, as is an improved
turbocharger and a FADEC-controlled, but otherwise conventional
engine governor.
The Austro engine also sports an integral oil/ coolant heat
exchanger, eliminating external oil lines and the need for an
external oil cooler.
DA42L Aimed At Flight School Market
With an expected availability of Q1, 2009, the DA42L is
specifically focused on the North American market, with an eye
towards flight training organizations or owner /operators looking
for an affordable "conventional" light twin. The well proven and
robust Lycoming power-plant will guarantee years of trouble-free
operations, with familiar operation and maintenance requirements,
and a fuel burn of as low as 16 gph on both engines combined in
flight training environment, or 20 gph at 75% power cruise.
Diamond also notes the DA42-L360 offers an anticipated upgrade
path to an Austro Engine down the road to cover all the bases, now
and in future... regardless of the availability and price of
fuels.
Regardless of engine choice, all new DA42s will also sport a
new, more spacious canopy design. Derived from similar changes to
the DA40, the new canopy offers increased headroom for taller
pilots.
An updated Garmin Avionics suite will also provide pilots with
the latest in cockpit safety equipment, including the GFC700
Automatic Flight Control System, WAAS-certified avionics systems,
TAWS-B terrain warning, and Garmin's Synthetic Vision Technology
(SVT).