DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has selected the AUSTRO ENGINE jet-fuel piston engine-powered Diamond Aircraft DA42-VI to provide multiengine training at its Daytona Beach, Fla. campus.
Delivery of the fleet of 10 aircraft will start April 2016 with all aircraft scheduled to be in place prior to the start of the fall 2016 semester. Compared to conventional powered twins, the fleet of 10 aircraft is expected to generate more than $3 million in fuel savings alone, over the next eight years.
The DA42-VI is the newest version of Diamond’s technology leading light piston twin, the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframe, avionics and powerplants. Nearly 1,000 DA42’s have been delivered since its introduction 10 years ago, outselling all other certified piston twins combined.
The all-carbon composite DA42’s are equipped with efficient, clean and reliable turbo-diesel AUSTRO engines, Garmin G1000 with 3-axis Automatic Flight Control System and optional electrically driven air conditioning.
“We are proud of our long standing relationship with Embry-Riddle and commend them on their vision regarding new technologies,” said Peter Maurer, President and CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (Canada). “These aircraft are expected to be in operation at Embry-Riddle through 2024 and as such it was of particular importance for the university to consider the advanced technology offered by Diamond. The sophistication and advanced technology of the DA42 commands a higher retail price than conventional flight training twins; however, it is the total cost of ownership, especially the incredible fuel cost savings, which is the deciding factor. We are particularly proud of the exemplary safety record that the DA42 has accumulated in North America.”
Embry-Riddle has the largest suite of DA-42 of any flight-training institute of higher education in the United States and Canada. The University’s Daytona Beach Campus had the benefit of being able to scrutinize the operational experience of the fleet of DA42’s operating at its other residential campus that offers flight training in Prescott, Arizona, where the average fuel burn of only 10.4 gph of jet fuel and superior high density altitude performance have made them the favorite. The Prescott Campus continues utilizing its existing four DA42’s as part of its training fleet.
“Our strong relationship with Diamond within both of our flight programs at our Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses, combined with the advanced technology, a shared commitment to being environmentally responsible and the simple fact that our students love flying these aircraft, makes this an exciting step forward for our university,” said Ken Byrnes, Chair of the Flight Department at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus. “The completely modernized aerodynamics, airframe, jet fuel piston engines and glass cockpit appeal to the students, while the low-noise signature and eco-friendly design and functionality are important not only to the university, but our local community.”
ABOUT DIAMOND
Diamond produces a full range of high quality certified all composite aircraft including the 2 seat DA20, the 4 seat DA40, 4 seat twin engine DA42 and 7 seat twin engine DA62. Diamond uses proprietary lead-free jet fuel piston engines, made by Austro Engine GmbH of Austria, for the DA40, DA42 and DA62. Diamond applies modern technologies to achieve high fuel efficiency, low noise, excellent performance and safety. Our aircraft are flown by private pilots and professional flight training operators and institutions worldwide.The entire Diamond range is distributed and supported in the USA and Canada by Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (Canada). For more information about Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (Canada), go to: www.diamondaircraft.com
ABOUT EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 80 baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts & Sciences, Aviation, Business, Engineering and Security & Intelligence. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz.,through the Worldwide Campus with more than 125 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and through online programs. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.
