A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

On the eve of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Diamond Aircraft Industries inked an order for 11 aircraft—10 single-engine DA40 NGs and a DA42-V1 twin—from North Carolina flight training center Blue Line Aviation. Lifestyle Aviation, a major North American distributor for the Chinese-owned manufacturer facilitated the deal. The aircraft will be delivered over the next 18 months and bring Blue Lines’ Diamond fleet of jet-A-burning aircraft to 20. The buy comes less than a year after Blue Line ordered half a dozen DA40 NGs and one DA 42-VI.

 


“We chose the modern jet-fuel-burning aircraft because they provide a strategic competitive advantage,” said Blue Line founder and owner Trey Walters. “We fly 100-plus hours a month per aircraft, so that has been a huge benefit for us.”

 


Calling Blue Line “among our most loyal customers,” and Lifestyle Aviation “essential” in the transaction, Diamond CEO Scott McFadzean said, “We look forward to continuing growing the Diamond brand together with our partners in the United States.”

 


In July,&nbsp;Diamond announced it will provide all new aircraft buyers three free months of SiriusXM aviation weather, information, and all-access programming.

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