Diamond Aircraft’s DA50 program has been on-again, off-again since 2007 but has regained momentum with the first flight of the retractable DA50 this week. Diamond’s five-seater uses a 300-HP Continental diesel and is part of a revitalized DA50 program announced at Aero Friedrichshafen this spring. The fixed-gear version of the DA50 flew in March of this year.
If that plane really comes through at 1,300 lbs. useful (with options) I’d be quite interested. Four not-small people, some bags, and a long range …
I’m sure the 50 is going to be one heck of an airplane. I could really consider it in a big way if it wasn’t for the diesel. Diesel and 1,200 hr. TBR is an instant no go for me. I would love to see that plane with a IO 540 option.
Where do you buy fuel? I’ve never seen diesel at an airport. Otherwise great looking airplane.
Jet A
Pipistrel Panthera?
That’s a pretty terrible empty weight fraction of .61 possibly not quite so bad given its a diesel but with all that carbon fibre one would hope for better.
Looks like Diamond have included TKS Ice Protection on the DA50 as per the DA62. Great!