Efforts to capitalize on the experience (both good and bad) gained when Diamond Aircraft elected to use non-industry standard engines (i.e., something other than the Lycomings or Continentals that have become the de facto standard for many years) in the past, is creating some heartburn for customers awaiting deliveries of the revolutionary Diamond DA42. Flyers awaiting the first deliveries of the Diesel-powered Diamond DA42 seem a little miffed to find that the airplane delivery schedule is falling back a bit as Diamond tries to head off potential problems that may occur as deliveries commence.

Claims of problems with the Thielert diesel engines and corporate preference for the upcoming Lycoming version were refuted by Diamond's North American Boss, Peter Maurer. "We learned a great deal about supporting a new engine when our DA20s were first offered to the public. We see similar challenges with the use of the Thielert engines and we want to insure that there is adequate service and support for these engines before we start serious deliveries of this airplane... So, we're going to make sure there is a service system in place as quickly as we can make it happen."

Maurer refutes the suggestion that there are undue difficulties with the Thielert engine and cites their successful introduction on the DA40 (shown below), in Europe, as evidence that the powerplant is well suited for the GA market. Maurer admits that some of the early Thielert engines suffered some issues, but as a new production engine, some difficulties were expected... and dealt with. "Right now, we see a bright future for the Thielert," Peter adds.

He does admit that they are talking more openly and aggressively about the other version of the DA 42 (offered at the same price as the diesel), one powered by a set of Lycoming IO-360s... an airplane that is proving to "rock Diamond's world." The extra power of the Lycomings is turning what was aleady a solid airplane into a real firecracker. During this version's maiden flight (and even before all the requisite tweaking that was to come), the Lyc-powered DA42 boasted a maximum cruising speed of over 180 kts at full power, 165 kts with a fuel consumption of only 14 USgal and 145 kts with a fuel consumption of only 10.5 USgal (all at 10,000 ft). The rate of climb was over 2,000 fpm (250 kg below MTOW). Single engine behaviour and performance were also tested. In single engine configuration at 6,000' a rate of climb of 900 fpm was achieved with gear up, and even with gear down, the ROC was still 400 fpm.

Mind you; having customers who want a product so strongly, is a good problem to have... but it seems that Diamond is making sure that this is (hopefully) the worst of the complaints they'll have to contend with as the DA42 starts making its way to North America. As a result; they have issued the (following) statement to clarify their plans for the DA42.

Excerpts From A Diamond Aircraft Statement

Diamond has made the decision to delay North American deliveries of the DA42 to private individuals pending the establishment of the necessary support network for the TAE Centurion 1.7 engine. We expect and are confident that TAE will start establishment of such a network during the course of 2005 and look forward to introducing this innovative technology to North America.

Until the time that such a network is functional, we do not want to put our valued customers in the position of owning an aircraft with insufficient support services for the powerplant, especially in consideration of the new technologies that are not easily supported without specialist knowledge and an engine factory support program. In particular, the electronic engine management system (FADEC) will be unfamiliar to most current piston service providers, and presents the very real possibility that in case of a service difficulty, the customer would be effectively stranded until factory direct technical support could be provided on site.

This creates an unacceptable situation. Diamond has evaluated the possibility of assuming responsibility for direct Diamond factory support for engine, however this is not feasible as we have neither the detail technical knowledge or responsibility for the engine type design.

Diamond shares the disappointment of not being able to deliver to our early position holders per the planned delivery schedule and is fully aware of the frustration and inconvenience this may cause. We are therefore taking the following actions:

• Diamond is supporting TAE to advance the implementation of the North American support network. Although Diamond will take an increasingly active role in promoting this, it must be understood that this is the responsibility of the engine type certificate holder, i.e. TAE (Thielert). In the interim, DA42-tdi deliveries will be limited to Europe, where the required support network exists, and to North American fleet customers where direct on site support can be arranged.
• As an alternate to the DA42-tdi, Diamond has accelerated the development and certification of the DA42-Lycoming. While not matching the fuel efficiency and endurance of the TAE turbo-diesel powerplants, the combination of the well proven and more powerful Lycomings with the aerodynamic efficiency of the DA42 airframe results in an aircraft described as a "hot-rod." We have set the ambitious goal of first US deliveries of this aircraft for August 2005. This aircraft's 360hp and high lift wing provide spectacular climb performance (on either both or single engine) and improved cruise speeds vs the DA42-tdi. The fuel capacity has been increased for long range and the full fuel useful load preserved because of the lighter weight of the powerplant installation and lighter density of Avgas. Flown at cruise powersettings the actual fuel economy is comparable with current high performance singles. In summary, the Lycoming powered DA42 offers an ultra modern airframe, proven bulletproof powerplants with an established service network, twin engine safety, superior performance and load carrying ability, at high performance single engine acquisition and operating costs.
• A proactive TwinStar customer satisfaction program is being implemented. We will be sending the latest details of the DA42 program, as well as the details of the TwinStar customer satisfaction program, to our DRDC's in the very near future, for distribution to all DA42 position holders.

In basic terms, the program will offer the following. Existing position holders whose delivery is expected to be significantly delayed vs. the anticipated delivery per the original deposit agreement, will have the following options:

1. Maintain the current order for earliest possible DA42-tdi delivery,
2. exchange their current DA42-tdi delivery position for a DA42-Lycoming delivery position, or
3. request full refund of their deposit. As a special incentive to our loyal customers, we will maintain 2004 prices for 2005 deliveries and 2005 prices for 2006 deliveries.

FMI: www.diamondair.com