Estimated reading time 1 minute, 46 seconds.
The turbine powered DART-450 took off for its first flight on May 17, 2016. Diamond Aircraft Photo
On May 17, 2016, the turbine powered DART-450 (Diamond Aircraft Reconnaissance Trainer) took off for its first flight. The DART-450 is the world’s first all-carbon fibre tandem, two-seat civilian and military trainer with a sidestick and pneumatic ejection seats.
The +7/-5G aerobatic airplane has a maximum take-off power of 500 horsepower, is equipped with the Ivchenko Progress/Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop engine, a five-blade MT-Propeller propeller, and a GARMIN avionic system. Maximum endurance of the DART is eight hours plus reserve.
Within the first 60 minutes of flight time, speeds between 60 to 200 knots indicated airspeed, have been tested at various altitudes. Expected top speed is 250 knots true airspeed.
“Company chief test pilot Ingmar Mayerbuch and flight test engineer Thomas Wimmer have been so excited about the first results that certification and serial production is green-lighted,” said Christian Dries, CEO, Diamond Aircraft.
“We achieved our target from the first drawings to the first flight in one year,” said Diamond Aircraft chief designer Clemens Knappert. “I’m already excited about what comes next.”
Watch the DART-450 maiden flight video here.
