D-JET S/N 002 recently had its first flight at Diamond Aircraft’s facility in London, Ontario.
The 43-minute flight was conducted by Daniel Ribeiro, chief test pilot. Chase was flown by Giorgio Clementi, flight test manager, in D-JET S/N 001.
The flight was called a milestone by Diamond President Peter Maurer, who noted that S/N 002 represents the production configuration aerodynamically and in its structural design. “With the extensive experience we have with S/N 001, we expect a short development test program, and then the beginning of actual certification flight tests,” he said, noting the company has already begun building the next three aircraft for the certification test program.
The five-place jet, powered by a single FADEC-controlled Williams FJ33 turbine, is expected to be certified in mid-2008, with deliveries beginning soon after.