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In the works: Diamond D-Jet
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Diamond’s second single-engine D-Jet made its first flight on September 14 in London, Ontario.
Word Count: 133
Diamond’s second single-engine D-Jet made its first flight on September 14 in London, Ontario. This D-Jet incorporates aerodynamic improvements derived from flight testing of the first D-Jet and is also production-conforming. Three more D-Jets in the final configuration are under construction, and certification flight testing should begin shortly. The first flight of the second D-Jet lasted 43 minutes and included systems and handling tests conducted by chief test pilot Daniel Ribeiro. During the flight, Ribeiro retracted the landing gear while climbing to a maximum altitude of 11,000 feet. “Flight controls were smooth,” he reported, “with good harmony and light forces. Engine behavior was as expected, with stable performance during accelerations and decelerations. All installed systems worked as planned.” The five-place Williams FJ33-powered D-Jet is scheduled for certification in the third quarter of next year.