Diamond Star DA40

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Diamond Star DA40-TDI

Diamond Star DA40-180 instrument panel showing the G1000 glass cockpit installation

The Diamond Star DA40 is a four-place single-engine composite airplane notable as a popular modern training and private aircraft. It is made by Diamond Aircraft Industries.

The DA40 is available in three main versions:

The DA40-XL has a constant-speed propeller and is powered by a 180hp Lycoming IO-360-M1A fuel injected engine. It has a maximum cruise speed of 158 kts, burning 9.2 gallons of Avgas per hour. It's maximum take off weight is currently 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg). A 110 lb (50 kg) gross weight increase is awaiting regulatory approval. [1]

The DA40-FP has a fixed-pitch propeller, a 180hp Lycoming O-360-A4D engine (which has a carburettor rather than fuel injectors), and a more basic interior but is otherwise similar to the XL.

The DA40-TDI uses a Thielert 135hp diesel engine and burns diesel or jet fuel. It has a constant speed propeller and FADEC (single lever) engine control. The first flight of the DA40D was made on Nov. 28, 2002. This model is not generally available in all markets, notably the US.

In late 2006, the XL and FP models replaced the DA40-180. The FP replaced the fixed-pitch propeller version of the 180 and the XL replaced the constant-speed propeller version. The major difference between the new models and the 180 is the new models' vertical wingtips and higher maximum cruise speeds. The DA40-XL is approximately four knots faster than the preceding DA40-180/G1000 with the two-blade Hartzell propeller and the "Speed Gear" option. The XL's speed increase is mostly due to the Powerflow^TM exhaust system. The vertical winglets of the XL model are designed primarily to reduce the wingspan by approximately 12 inches, making the aircraft an easier fit into a standard 40' hangar.

The DA40-TDI became available in North America only in 2006, much later than it did in Europe. The diesel engined TDI has outsold the avgas engined 180 (and XL and FP) in Europe by some margin. The DA40-180 is prevalent at flight schools and in private hands in North America.

While past DA40 models were available with both traditional mechanical instrumentation, as well as with the optional Garmin G1000 glass cockpit suite the current DA40 offerings come with the Garmin G1000 as standard equipment.

A joint venture has been set up in China with Shandon Bin Ao Aircraft Industries for production of the DA40 in Shandong Province. Capacity is available for up to 1,000 aircraft a month to be produced with certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency planned for the second quarter of 2006^[1].