Diamond's DA50, Flight Design F2, F4

摘要

For at least the past five years, the spring product rollout season has shifted eastward away from Sun 'n Fun and toward Aero Friedrichshafen. And so it was this year, with two major developments from Diamond and Flight Design. Diamond's unveiling was actually a reheat of sorts. It appears to be going after Cirrus with the revived large-cabin DA50 single, this time powered by Continental's recently certified CD-300 six-cylinder diesel. The DA50-at least the airframe- isn't exactly new, having first appeared at Aero in 2006 as a skunk works project of then-Diamond owner Christian Dries. It simmered along until Diamond encountered trouble with the DA42's diesel engines, followed by the severe economic downturn of 2008.