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DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:33 am
by Antoine
(Translated from aeroscherz.de - German online magazine) :

DAI has been working aggressively on a new twin-engine ground attack aircraft.
The new aircraft is rumored to be called DA92.
It is largely based upon the Dart 450 but all critical areas are heavily armored using a revolutionary Kevlar/titanium sandwich claimed to be capable of stopping .50 caliber high explosive shells.
The wing has triple carbon spars and 6 kevlar fuel cells with self healing lining.
The aircraft is equipped with a pair of 1250 shp PT6 turboprop engines and can carry up to 3'000 pounds of ordinance on 6 hard points in addition to a nose mounted Oerlikon 20mm cannon with 220 rounds of ammunition.
The DA92 was largely developed under Christian Dries' leadership and it too is supposed to be a 200 knot aircraft.
Initially it was to be powered by four AE330 engines, but after the change of ownership, engineers were able to push through the idea of non-Austro powerplants.
Apparently, a large order by the People's Republic of China Air Defence Forces (PRCADF) will be announced at Aero Frierichshafen.
The intended use of the aircraft is anti-insurrection in mountainous areas such as Thibet.
The DA92 will be manufactured in DAI's Zhanghu plant in China starting late 2018.

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:31 pm
by pietromarx
Sounds an awful lot like an A-10 Warthog.

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:49 pm
by krellis
Me thinks Antoine is enjoying April 1st.

If not, another cruel joke on Diamond owners diverting much needed resources away from product line improvements...

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 7:00 pm
by Colin
I just ordered one. And as a thank you to Antoine I ordered him one as well. (When they get there, Antoine, mine is the blue one. I'll be by to ferry it over.)

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 7:07 pm
by pietromarx
I agree ... but a bit odd. Better (worse) April Fool's jokes:

1. Diamond and Garmin release software updates with immediate availability and a commitment for monthly updates.

2. 1000Nxi available as a free update on existing G1000 installations.

3. A supercharger upgrade for DA-40-180s is available under STC at a cost of $1k.

4. An increased weight STC for DA-40s is available with the replacement of only paperwork.

5. Lycoming IO-360-M1A installations in DA-40s are certified to use MoGas with or without ethanol.

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 7:19 pm
by krellis
Number 5 was promised by Diamond years ago (no ethanol though).

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 9:03 pm
by pietromarx
There is something ... but it seems that we fall into the trap of no ethanol (per Lycoming) and no alcohol (per Diamond), so no mogas for us.

viewtopic.php?t=3270

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:06 pm
by Antoine
Colin wrote:I just ordered one. And as a thank you to Antoine I ordered him one as well. (When they get there, Antoine, mine is the blue one. I'll be by to ferry it over.)
Thank you Colin. I hate pink but if it is free...
Shall we test them in Duluth or Kerryville?

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 12:11 am
by Colin
Shall we test them in Duluth or Kerryville?
I believe it demands a formation flight from London, Ontario, to Duluth to Kerrville.

Re: DA92 prototype to be presented at Aero Friedrichshafen

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:39 am
by jb642DA
Sorry, couldn't get a picture of the "pink one" - its cloaking device was enabled!