Diamond Aircraft Industries has received EASA Type Certificate EASA.E.200 for the turbo-diesel airplane engine E4 (AE300).
According to Mr. Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, and the Executive Management Team of Austro Engine GmbH, the certification of the E4 engine was achieved after 42 months of most intense development work and program costs of Euro 48 Million. "The complete program developed into one that was significantly more complex than originally anticipated. Only the full dedication of all participants, specifically the Austrian and European Airworthiness Authorities, MB Tech, Bosch General Aviation Technologies and our employees, enabled the successful conclusion of the certification process."
The issuance of this Type Certificate represents a most significant milestone and secures the future of the company.
There are already 27 DA42 NG with AE 300 engines on the production line, whose type certification is also expected imminently. Following will be AE300 powered versions of the DA40 and the DA50.
Based on the high demand, the AE300 powered version of the MPP will also be certified as soon as possible. For the existing diesel engine powered Diamond fleet, a retrofit solution to convert to AE300 power will be developed and offered.
Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries, and Thomas Mueller, General Manager of Austro Engine, are confident of a good future for the companies, despite the current difficult times.