Thank you
As the year draws to a close, we wanted to take a moment to extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you. As we reflect on the accomplishments of this year, we are filled with gratitude for the collaborative efforts that have brought us to this point. We want to share a sincere thank you for being a part of our #DiamondAircraftFamily. Wishing you and your loved ones all the best as we head into 2024!
Major News, Milestones & Events A year full of thrilling events
What a wonderful year of events it was that took us across the globe. From AERO Friedrichshafen in Germany and Paris Airshow in France to EAA AirVenture in Wisconsin to many more events around the world. In summary, we can say that our participation in all these events, whether big or small, well-known or less well-known, was a pleasure for all of us. Whether meeting industry experts, customers, aviation enthusiasts or engaging with our local community, it all is part of our passion and dedication for flying. Looking forward to meeting you at many, many more events 2024!
Another exciting year for the marvelous DA50 RG
Already end of 2022 we learned that our DA50 RG has net another prestigious award - the German Design Award Winner 2023, a world-renowned design prize, in the category Excellent Product Design in Aviation, Maritime and Railway. In April, we could finally welcome the 2019 DA50 RG Exterior Design Competition winner Kirk Smith at our headquarters in Wiener Neustadt (Austria), where he took to the skies in the aircraft with his amazing design and call sign OE-VTW (or ‘Tango Whiskey’). Then we embarked to a remarkable journey spanning five months (May – October), in collaboration with our U.S. sales partners Premier Aircraft Sales, LifeStyle Aviation and Steel Aviation, and took the amazing DA50 RG across the United States from coast to coast. On July 25th we celebrated FAA certification of our single-engine flagship together with representatives of the FAA and GAMA and the DA50 RG delivery to the first U.S. customer. November brought us another very first DA50 RG customer, this time for the Middle East region. Curious about the entire history of the DA50 RG? Then click here.
A year filled with awards
It looks like there hasn't been a year without awards for us lately. This year, too, we were delighted to receive four honors. Our DA50 RG received the German Design Award Winner 2023. At this year’s AERO Friedrichshafen we were even honored with two awards by the fliegermagazin readers: our DA62 was awarded with Best Piston Twin and Diamond Aircraft Egelsbach in Germany as Best Maintenance Organisation. Additionally, the eDA40 was amongst the nominees and in the top three selection in fliegermagazin’s category Best Electric Aircraft.
A year for sustainability approaches
Eco-consciousness and responsible use of resources has always been at the core of Diamond Aircraft, and we are committed to the targets of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Aviation Programme by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to shape a sustainable future for aviation by working and researching on several approaches. Beginning of the year, we entered a cooperation with Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) including testing of the all-electric eDA40 in a real training environment, becoming the launch customer of this aircraft as well as analyses for the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Additionally, true to the motto "If you don’t go forwards you go backwards", together with our sister company Austro Engine we have launched two forward-looking sustainability programs: researching to develop a bivalent hydrogen engine and the use of SAF in our line of Austro Engine powered aircraft. In September we proudly announced the first flight of a SAF fueled DA42-VI from European Flight Training, a brand of LAT, at Bremen airport thanks to the cooperation with LAT.
A year of first flights
Maiden flights are always something special. Something that everyone works towards to with excitement. This year was therefore a very special one for us, as we completed not one but two maiden flights. On 12 June, the DART-750 aerobatic trainer powered by the PT6A-25C turboprop engine took off for its first flight. Followed by the eDA40’s first flight just five weeks later on 20 July. Those occasions mark significant milestones not only in our history but also in the history of our project partners.
A year of sales success
We love it when our #DiamondAircraftFamily gets bigger and bigger. Besides so many other new customers and fleet additions at existing customers, we celebrated lots of exciting purchases and deliveries:
- Emirates selected our DA42-VI for flight training
- And so did the United Aviate Academy
- Middle Tennessee State University expanded their Diamond Aircraft Fleet with eight new DA40 XLT
- The first customer in Panama with COPA Airlines buying eight DA40 NG
- The DA40-VI is also Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s first choice for their fleet renewal
- KLM Flight Academy is replacing its AVGAS fleet with jet-fuel powered DA40 NG and DA42-VI
- Skywings Flight Training increases their Diamond fleet with DA40 NG and a Convertible DA40/42 FNPT II
- AYJET Flight School as well is adding a Diamond flight simulator to their Diamond fleet.
A Special Mission Aircraft year
Our Special Mission Aircraft division had a very successful year too:
- The Royal Thai Air Force accepted three DA42 MPP
- The UK aerospace services company 2Excel Aviation took delivery of the first of three DA62 MPP
- RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems added a new DA62 SurveyStar
- A new airborne environmental surveillance version of the DA62 MPP, the DA62 MPP VANGUARD, was presented at Paris Airshow
- Delivery of the first DA62 SurveyStar to Qatar
- Delivery of 4 DA62 MPP to the Nigerian Air Force
A year full of interesting stories
The holiday season’s also the perfect time to read all the articles you couldn’t because you were too busy. For those of you who haven’t read all our 2023 DiamondDiary entries, this might be the time to catch up.
Diamond Aircraft in the Movies A year full of exciting videos
Season's Greetings Happy Holidays!
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a New Year brimming with joy, laughter, and success. We are looking forward to another year filled with exciting events and encounters. In particular, we are thrilled about upcoming highlights such as AERO Friedrichshafen in Germany (17 – 20 April) and EAA AirVenture (22 – 28 July), updates on our remarkable eDA40 and celebrating 20 years of the amazing DA42. Can’t wait to see you again in 2024!
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