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Diesel-powered Light Twin Flies
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: The diesel-powered Diamond DA42 TwinStar made its first flight on December 9 from the factory at Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Word Count: 82
The diesel-powered Diamond DA42 TwinStar made its first flight on December 9 from the factory at Wiener Neustadt, Austria. TwinStar’s Thielert Centurion 1.7 engines rated at 135 hp each are designed to operate on both diesel fuel and jet-A1. The composite-construction four-seat aircraft has a single-lever power control for each engine, fuel consumption of 67 pph at 180 kt and an option for an all-glass cockpit. JAA approval of the TwinStar is projected in about 12 months, with FAA certification scheduled for mid-2004. The target price is $360,000.