Changes and new engine of Diamond Aircraft DA50 program

Just to remind you, The DA50 program was introduced at AERO Friedrichshafen 2017 in three variants with different seating and engine configurations.

In December 2017 a new owner took over Diamond Aircraft with the promise for a long-term commitment: Diamond wants to be the leading company in General Aviation. The transition year 2018 was spent with re-evaluation of all ongoing projects.

After re-evaluation and changes on the DA50 project including a value-added package, Diamond Aircraft has come to the conclusion to change its engine concept and found a partner for it in Continental.

"After careful consideration, we determined that the CD-300 engine aligns with Diamond’s jet fuel philosophy and that it is a suitable solution for our DA50 platform," said Liqun (Frank) Zhang, CEO of Diamond Aircraft lndustries GmbH.

The DA50 equipped with the 300 hp CD-300 Jet-A1 engine ran first ground tests on 15 March 2019. On 22 March 2019 the aircraft took off for its successful first flight. This day marked the official start of the flight test program of the DA50 equipped with the CD-300 engine. Performance data will be provided later this year.

"Matching the CD-300 Jet-A engine with the new DA50 aircraft by Diamond Aircraft Industries is a rekindling of the relationship that created the original successful Jet-A piston powered aircraft," said Rhett Ross, President and CEO, Continental Aerospace Technologies™. "We are pleased that Diamond chose Continental as a partner to bring this product to market," he added.

The CD-300, certified in December 2017, is the third platform in Continental's successful Jet-A fueled piston engine lineup. The engine produces 300 hp, at a fuel sipping 9.2 US Gallons per hour, and a quiet 2,300 RPM. The engine was specifically designed to power high performance, luxury piston powered aircraft.

Diamond Aircraft aims on basic EASA certification of a 5-seat DA50 with retractable gear powered by the Continental CD-300 in Summer 2020.