Story ID: 391
First Middle East Customer Takes DA50 RG
By: Peter Shaw-Smith
Caption: Aircraft considered ideal for GA pilots
Word Count: 340
A first Middle East-based customer has taken delivery of a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA50 RG at Dubai Airshow, as Aviation Home Qatar’s Khalid Al Khater accepted the aircraft from company representatives on the static display at the show site.
“I am very excited to be the owner of the first-ever DA50 RG in the Middle East and I am really looking forward to enjoying the unparalleled performance and economic benefits of flying such an aircraft, especially in this region,” said Khalid Al Khater, CEO, Aviation Home Qatar. “I do believe that we will soon see more DA50 flying in this region.”
He sees Diamond Aircraft as an innovative pioneer in the general aviation market. “They have always listened to the needs of GA pilots and flight schools,” he said. “With Diamond's jet-fueled aircraft, there was finally a solution, especially for regions where AVGAS is difficult to obtain.” 
Al Khater claims to have owned Diamond airplanes since the introduction of the jet-fuel engine. “I have owned a DA40, a DA42-VI, and a DA62 which I have flown in the Middle East and Europe and have always been impressed with the performance,” he said. “My decision to buy the DA50 RG was a logical step.”
The DA50 RG is powered by the FADEC-controlled 300hp Continental CD-300 jet-fuel engine and features retractable gear. Diamond claims it has one of the largest luxury cabins in its class. Its composite technology (carbon fiber), Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, and generous space with premium ergonomic interiors have gained industry plaudits.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring the sensational DA50 RG to Dubai Airshow for the first time and hand it over to the very first customer in the Middle East,” said Jane Wang, sales director, Diamond Aircraft Austria. “We congratulate our regional sales partner Aviation Home Qatar on their recent purchase. They will be more than pleased with the DA50 RG’s perfect combination of performance, comfort, economy, and safety.”