AEROMEDIA
The Italian Aerospace Information Web
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Diamond Twin Star nears first flight

One of the most interesting aircraft seen for the first time at Berlin's ILA 2002 was the new Diamond DA 42 Twin Star four-seater, which heralds the entry of the Austrian manufacturer in the twin-engine market.
Inspired to the previous single-engine DA 40 TDI Diamond Star, it is equipped with the same low consumption Thielert TAE Turbodiesel (135 PS) engines operated optionally with jet fuel A-1 or diesel or, in fact with any mixture of these two types of fuel. As for the other Diamond aircraft, the Twin Star sports very advanced aerodynamic features and, in particular, the original nacelle layout giving the aircraft an unmistakable appearance. Moreover the traditional avionic suite, a three-display glass cockpit option is offered. Twin Star's dimensions are: length overall 27 ft 8 in., wing span 44 ft 0 in., wing area 117 sq ft, height 8 ft 5 in. for an empty weight of 2,270 lbs. So small an aircraft offers an outstandingly roomy cabin.
The prototype of the Twin Star is very close to its first flight but project performance have been already released: normal take-off run 951 ft, max rate of climb at max take-off weight 1,730 ft/min, max level speed 203 kt at 12,500 ft TAS, max cruising speed 168 kt, operational ceiling 20,000 ft, range with 52,8 USgal standard tanks 1,061 nm, 1,485 nm adding a 73,9 USgal optional tank.

The prototype (D-GENI) of Diamond DA 42 Twin Star, on static display at Berlin's ILA 2002. (Aeromedia)

(Aeromedia, June 2002)