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

Composite aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft (Chalet S5) is displaying at the Dubai Airshow&nbsp;its twin-diesel-powered DA62 MPP (Multi-Purpose Platform)&nbsp;and the DA40 NG, its four-place diesel-powered light single.&nbsp;

 


The Austria-headquartered, Chinese-owned company—represented at Dubai World Central by its Canada and Airborne Sensing divisions—alights at Al Maktoum International Airport following October’s unveiling of a new version of the DA62, aimed at the survey market, and the first flight of the upgraded version of the five-place DA50 equipped with a CD-300 diesel engine and retractable landing gear.

 


The surveyor version of the DA62 aims to compete with the all-metal airframes that currently dominate the survey market. The variant replaces the DA62’s standard seat bench with two individual pilot seats divided by a console and moved rearward by 70 mm (2.76 inches), increasing pilot&nbsp;comfort and room for movement. The console accommodates standard Dzus-mounted units or tailor-made applications. The survey configuration also eliminates the right-hand operator&nbsp;seat from the rear station, and survey cameras and stabilization mounts are integrated within the cabin&nbsp;to avoid compromising the aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics. Offered with “a strong and modern European state-of-the-art survey configuration,” its low noise signature, top-mounted exhaust systems, and low fuel burn fit perfectly to the idea to operate silently and environmentally friendly, according to the company. Meanwhile, the rear luggage area provides room for installing additional mission equipment like data storage units and other systems.

 


Certification of the DA62 survey platform as a major change supplemental type certificate is expected in mid-2020.

 


The upgraded DA50, which will have a redesigned, luxurious interior along with a 300-hp Continental CD-300 diesel engine and retractable undercarriage, was announced at April’s annual Aero Friedrichshafen show. During last month’s first flight of the reconfigured platform, “All systems were working as expected,” said Sören Pedersen, head of flight test, who piloted the aircraft with Niko Daroussis.

 


The DA50 is aimed at the upper end of the piston general aviation market as well as charter operators looking for a lower-cost alternative to turboprop singles. Basic certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency&nbsp;is anticipated in summer 2020.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Diamond Touts New Platform Variants

Diamond displays DA62 special mission aircraft in Dubai, and highlights news on the makeover of its DA50 diesel single for the GA market.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

More In Aircraft