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The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is an Austrian four-seat, single-engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. Built in both Austria and Canada, it was developed as a four-seat version of the earlier DA20 by Diamond Aircraft Industries. By the end of December 2020, 2,200 DA40s had been delivered, including 500 NG models.


Development

Based on the success of the earlier DV20/DA20 two-seat aircraft, the company designed a four-seat variant, the DA40 Diamond Star. The Rotax 914-powered prototype DA40-V1, registered OE-VPC, first flew on 5 November 1997 and was followed by a second prototype DA40-V2 (registered OE-VPE) which was powered by a Continental IO-240. In 1998 a third prototype DA40-V3 flew powered by a Lycoming IO-360 engine. Four more test aircraft were produced followed by the first production aircraft in 2000. JAR23 certification of the IO-360 production variant was obtained in October 2000. In 2002 the production of the Lycoming-engined variant was moved to Canada and the Austrian factory concentrated on diesel-engined variants. The first flight of the Diesel DA40D was made on 28 November 2002. 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 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 exhaust system. In the last half of 2007 the company updated the DA40 line by introducing the XLS and CS versions and eliminated the FP model. The XLS is the deluxe version, with the integration of some options into the standard offering including a Powerflow tuned exhaust, WAAS-capable G1000, GDL69 datalink, and TAS traffic alert system. The CS is the budget version, with fewer standard features. Both CS and XLS versions of the DA40 use the Lycoming IO-360-M1A fuel injected engine. The major difference is the choice of propeller, with the CS using a Hartzell two-blade aluminum constant speed prop and the XLS using an MT composite three-blade unit. Capacity is available for up to 1,000 aircraft a year to be produced with certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency in 2008."News Breaks", ''
Aviation Week & Space Technology ''Aviation Week & Space Technology'', often abbreviated ''Aviation Week'' or ''AW&ST'', is the flagship magazine of the Aviation Week Network. The weekly magazine is available in print and online, reporting on the aerospace, defense and aviati ...
'', 1 January 2007.
Past DA40 models were available with either traditional mechanical instruments or an optional Garmin G1000
glass cockpit A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic (digital) flight instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, rather than the traditional style of analog dials and gauges. While a traditional cockpit relies on numerous mech ...
suite. Current production DA40s are built only with the Garmin G1000 as standard equipment. In April 2008, Diamond introduced the optional availability of Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology on the DA40 XLS. In October 2021, Diamond Aircraft announced an all- electric training variant, the eDA40, with initial flights scheduled for the second quarter of 2022 and EASA/FAA Part 23 certification expected in 2023. It should fly for 90 minutes, with a fast charge for 20 minutes turnarounds and operating costs 40% lower than piston aircraft.


Design

The DA40 is a four-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane made from composite materials. It has a fixed tricycle landing gear and a T-tail. The DA40 has officially appeared in only three versions, the DA 40, DA 40D and DA 40F, as documented on its type certificates. The various model names that the aircraft has been sold under are marketing names and are not officially recognized by the authorities that have certified the aircraft. The DA40 was initially marketed as the DA40-180, powered by a fuel injected Textron Lycoming IO-360 M1A engine. The DA40-XL has a constant speed propeller and is powered by a Lycoming IO-360-M1A fuel injected engine. It has a maximum cruise speed of , burning 9.2 gallons of
Avgas Avgas (aviation gasoline, also known as aviation spirit in the UK) is an aviation fuel used in aircraft with spark-ignited internal combustion engines. ''Avgas'' is distinguished from conventional gasoline (petrol) used in motor vehicles, w ...
per hour. Its maximum takeoff weight is 2,535 lb (1,150 kg). The DA40-F (marketed as the "FP") has a fixed pitch propeller, a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine, which has a
carburetor A carburetor (also spelled carburettor) is a device used by an internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the venturi tube in the main meteri ...
rather than fuel injection and a more basic interior, but is otherwise similar to the XL. The DA40-TDI uses a Thielert "Centurion" diesel engine and burns diesel or
jet fuel Jet fuel or aviation turbine fuel (ATF, also abbreviated avtur) is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is colorless to straw-colored in appearance. The most commonly used fuels for commercial a ...
. It has a constant speed propeller and
FADEC A full authority digital engine (or electronics) control (FADEC) is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an "electronic engine controller" (EEC) or "engine control unit" (ECU), and its related accessories that control all aspects of ai ...
(single lever) engine control. The Diesel DA40D is not certified in the US. Efforts to increase the DA40's cruising speed centered on the propeller and wheel spats. The wheel fairing streamlining was improved, a three-blade scimitar-type constant speed propeller was incorporated and the Powerflow exhaust system from the XL was retained. The canopy contour was also revised, with the sides being more vertical before curving into the roof, which provides more shoulder and head room. Boarding the DA40 is via the leading edge of the wing, an unusual feature among low-wing aircraft. The aircraft's nosewheel is free-castoring and directional control while taxiing is by mainwheel differential braking. DA40s are produced at Diamond's aircraft factories in Wiener Neustadt, Austria and in London, Ontario, Canada. A joint venture has also been set up in China with Shandong Bin Ao Aircraft Industries for production of the DA40 TDI (Diesel) in
Shandong Province Shandong ( , ; ; alternately romanized as Shantung) is a coastal province of the People's Republic of China and is part of the East China region. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history since the beginning of Chinese civilizatio ...
.


Operational history

The DA40 has accumulated a very low accident record, particularly with regard to stall and
spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning * Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis * Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...
accidents. Its overall and fatal accident rates are one-eighth that of the general aviation fleet and include no stall-related accidents. The level of safe operation is attributed to its high aspect ratio wing, low wing loading and benign flight characteristics. The aircraft can be trimmed full nose up, engine set to idle and it will descend at at hands-off, a lower rate of descent than the competitor Cirrus SR22 can achieve with its airframe ballistic parachute deployed. In a 2011 analysis by ''Aviation Consumer'' magazine, the DA40 was shown to have had a fatal accident rate of 0.35/100,000 hours, the lowest in US general aviation and considerably better than the market leading Cirrus SR20 and SR22, which that year had a combined fatal accident rate of 1.6/100,000, despite its full aircraft parachute system. By comparison, the Cessna 172 had a fatal accident rate of 0.45/100,000 hours. A Chinese flying school has used its CD-135 for 13 hours per day on average.


Variants

;DA40 :Initial model, powered by a Textron Lycoming IO-360 M1A 180 hp (135 kW) engine and a MT Propellers MTV-12-B/180-17. Maximum gross weight is 1150 kg (2535 lb) or 1200 kg (2646 lb) with modifications installed. In increasingly refined versions marketed as the DA40-180, XL, CS and XLS. ;DA40 D :Diesel model, powered by a Thielert TAE 125-01 (Centurion 1.7) or TAE 125-02-99 (Centurion 2.0) engine of 135 hp (101 kW) and MT Propellers MTV-6-A/187-129. Maximum gross weight is 1150 kg (2535 lb). Marketed primarily in Europe, although certified in Canada and Australia as well, as the DA40 TDI. ;DA40 F :Fixed pitch propeller model, powered by Textron Lycoming O-360-A4M and a
Sensenich Sensenich Propeller, founded in 1932, is an American manufacturer of wood, metal and composite propellers for certified, homebuilt and ultralight aircraft, as well as airboats. The company headquarters is located in Lititz, Pennsylvania.Purdy ...
6EM8S10-0-63 or a MT-Propeller MT 188R135-4G propeller. Maximum gross weight is 1150 kg (2535 lb). Marketed as the DA40 FP. This model is no longer offered. ;DA40 NG :Latest model, offered in select markets only (DA40 model is still offered in other markets), powered by an
Austro Engine AE 300 The Austro Engine E4 (marketed as the AE 300) is a liquid-cooled, inline, four-cylinder, four-stroke, aircraft diesel engine. The engine is manufactured by Austro Engine, an Austrian-based company and subsidiary of Diamond Aircraft Industries. ...
running on JET A-1 fuel. EASA certified April 2010. By December 2020, 500 NG models had been produced. ;T-52A :Military trainer version, 20 acquired in 2009 and used by the 557th Flying Training Squadron at United States Air Force Academy. The type was replaced in 2012 with the Cirrus SR20-based T-53A. ;DA40 XLT :Version introduced in April 2013 with an upgraded interior, including sun-resistant deluxe leather seats, improved lumbar contours, sun visors, more cup holders and improved storage for hand-held devices. ;DA40 Tundra Star :Version with strengthened landing gear, larger tires for operation from unimproved surfaces and a
Austro AE300 The Austro Engine E4 (marketed as the AE 300) is a liquid-cooled, inline, four-cylinder, four-stroke, aircraft diesel engine. The engine is manufactured by Austro Engine, an Austrian-based company and subsidiary of Diamond Aircraft Industries. ...
diesel engine that burns jet fuel. ; eDA40 : All- electric training variant, announced in October 2021, targeting a 2022 first flight and a 2023 certification, with 90 minute endurance. Charging can be accomplished in 20 minutes but certification could slip to early 2024, and the 90-minute endurance goal could be reached only as battery technology allows.


Operators


Civil

The aircraft is popular with flying schools and is operated by private individuals and companies. At the December 2018 MEBAA show, the Saudi Arabian National Company of Aviation-
CAE Inc. CAE Inc. (formerly Canadian Aviation Electronics) is a Canadian manufacturer of simulation technologies, modelling technologies and training services to airlines, aircraft manufacturers, healthcare specialists, and defence customers. CAE was fou ...
Training Centre in
Dammam Dammam ( ar, الدمّام ') is the fifth-most populous city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina. It is the capital of the Eastern Province. With a total population of 1,252,523 as of 2020. The judicial and administrative ...
ordered 60 single-engine DA40 NG and twin-engine DA42-VI, to be delivered over five years, with Garmin G1000 NXi glass panels and diesel engines.


Military

; *
Royal Australian Air Force "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...
– 8 leased from local firm for use with the
Australian Air Force Cadets The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), known as the ''Air Training Corps (AIRTC)'' until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Along with the Australian ...
; *
Austrian Air Force The Austrian Air Force (german: Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte, , Austrian Air Combat Force) is a component part of the Austrian Armed Forces. History The Austrian Air Force in its current form was created in May 1955 by the victorious Al ...
– 2 in service with 2 more on order. ; * Bangladesh Army – 4 in service with 2 more on order. ; * Bolivian Air Force – 9 for basic flight training. ; * Ecuadorian Air Force – 12 ** ''Academy "Cosme Rennella Barbatto"'' ; *
Indonesian National Police '' , mottotranslated = (Serving the Nation) , formed = , preceding1 = , dissolved = , superseding = , employees = 440,000 (2020) , volunteers = , budget = , nongovernment ...
– 2 ; * Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing – 4 order. ; * Singapore Youth Flying Club – 13 ; * United States Air Force Academy – 20


Specifications (2007 model Diamond DA40 XL Diamond Star)


See also


References


External links


Diamond Aircraft DA40 website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diamond Da40 1990s Austrian civil utility aircraft 2000s Canadian civil utility aircraft
DA40 The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is an Austrian four-seat, single-engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. Built in both Austria and Canada, it was developed as a four-seat version of the earlier DA20 by Diamond Aircraft ...
Single-engined tractor aircraft T-tail aircraft Low-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1997