FLUG REVUE Aircraft Gallery: Diamond Aircraft DA42 Twin Star

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General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 3

Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x Thielert Centurion 1.7 diesel, running on Jet A1 as well
Power (Leistung): 2 x 135 hp at 2300 rpm
Propeller: three-blade, constant speed
Propeller diameter (Propellerdurchmesser): 1,87 m
Total fuel consumption: 54 l/h at 95 per cent power cruise, 29,6 l/h at 60 per cent cruise

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 8,5 m
Height (Höhe): 2,6 m
Span (Spannweite): 13,42 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 16,46 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse ): 1030 kg
Payload with IFR equipment (Zuladung): 620 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 195 litres standard or 280 litres optional
Max. take-off weight (max. Startmasse): 1650 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit):
   - 376 km/h (203 kts) TAS at 12500 ft, 95 per cent power
   - 311 km/h (168 kts) at 10000 ft, 60 per cent power
Take-off roll (Startrollstrecke): 290 m
Take-off distance (Startstrecke): 510 m over 15 m obstacle, at max take-off weight
Rate of climb (Steigrate):
    - 8,78 m/s at sea level, maximum take-off weight
    - 8,38 m/s at 10000 ft
Max. operation altitude (max. Flughöhe): 6096 m (20000 ft)
Max. range (max. Reichweite):
    - 1912 km at 60% power, standard fuel
    - 2677 km at 60% power, with optional fuel

Costs (Kosten)
The DA42 Twin Star was offered for 359800 Euros in October 2002. This would increase with additional avionics and opitons like additional fuel tank, baggage extension, fire extinguisher and the like.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The DA42 Twin Star is based on the DA40 family of light singles. It is designed for flight-training as well as personal and business use. It uses the Thielert Centurion diesel engine with single-lever power controls and has a hydraulically retractable landing gear.
Various cockpit instrumentation options are available, including a full glass cockpit with three colour displays.
As the other Diamond aircraft the DA42 is built from composites.

History (Geschichte)
The DA42 concept was established at the end of 2002. The aircraft (first prototype) was then officially unveiled at the Berlin Air Show in May 2002. At that time, a first flight was predicted for September and first deliveries for early 2004.
Sales in the US began at the EAA Air Venture show in Oshkosh in July 2002.
First flight was achieved on 9 December 2002 at Wiener Neustadt, with Diamond Aircraft owner and CEO Christian Dries at the controls. Daily flights followed.
JAA certification of the Twin Star is projected for the end of 2003, with North American certification and initial deliveries projected for mid-2004.

Civil | Military | Helicopters | History | Spaceflight

Last updated 7 January 2003

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