Major Approval Granted For FIKI Capability 

The DA42 Twin Star has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for flight into known icing conditions. FAA validation is expected shortly.

The system includes de-ice fluid weeping leading edge protection of the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers as well as prop and canopy deicing. Known ice certification requires system redundancy, increased endurance (de-ice fluid capacity), evaluation of ice accumulation on unprotected airframe parts, as well as verification of performance and handling qualities under simulated and actual icing conditions. By contrast, ice protection systems not certified for flight into know icing conditions are evaluated for potential hazardous effects on the airframe only and offer no quantifiable level of protection in actual ice conditions.

"The known ice certification offers a huge safety advantage over aircraft that offer only ice protection equipment without FIKI (flight into known ice) certification. Coupled with the Twin Star's powerplant redundancy, the DA42 offers operational capability and security that price competitive aircraft simply can't offer", said Peter Maurer, President of Diamond Aircraft Industries.

"This is consistent with Diamond's vision of what a modern high performance cross country piston aircraft should be."

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com