Diamond Aircraft’s carbon-fiber diesel-powered DA50 RG has been flying a tour of 28 cities in the U.S. since early May. Starting on the East Coast, the tour will make its remaining stops in Texas, Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, followed by the West Coast and ending in Seattle on October 1. Diamond dealers Lifestyle Aviation, Premier Aircraft Sales, and Steel Aviation are conducting the tour.
The $1.15 million DA50 RG received FAA certification in late July at the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where Diamond made the first U.S. delivery.
Powered by a 300-hp turbocharged Continental CD-300 with Fadec, the DA50 RG burns jet-A at the rate of 8 gph at max range power at 18,000 feet (45 percent power) and 10.3 gph at 12,000 feet (60 percent power). Maximum speed is 181 ktas at 16,000 feet and cruise speed 172 ktas at 14,000 feet. The maximum range with VFR fuel reserves is 754 nm.
With a mtow of 4,407 pounds, the DA50 RG can carry five occupants; the rear seats are a 60/40 split-folding three-seat bench. Payload with maximum fuel load of 326 pounds is 884 pounds.
Avionics are Garmin’s G1000 NXi with GFC 700 autopilot and Electronic Stability & Protection. A GCU 476 alphanumeric keypad is optional.
A CAV Systems TKS ice-protection system, certified for flight into known icing conditions, is also optional.