Photo:
Front row, Michael Armstrong, CTO, EPS; Michael Duffy, VP of product, EPS; Steven Hall, director of product management, EPS; back row, Kevin Spencer, VP of programs, EPS; Robert Kremnitzer, head of design organisation, Diamond Aircraft Austria; Nathan Millecam, CEO, EPS; Scott McFadzean, CEO, Diamond Aircraft Canada; Li Yu, COO, Diamond Aircraft Austria.
Photo: Diamond Aircraft
The eDA40 will feature Electric Power Systems’ EPiC battery technology and accompanying Ecosystem.
After extensive research and numerous flight test hours on electric and hybrid platforms, Diamond Aircraft is ready to introduce its all-electric eDA40 training aircraft.
The company is to integrate battery technology company Electric Power Systems’ EPiC Ecosystem into its eDA40, a derivative of the existing and certified DA40 platform. The battery module will be equipped with a DC fast charging system that the company says is capable of turning around a depleted aircraft in under 20 minutes. Batteries will be installed in a custom designed belly pod and between the engine and the forward bulkhead.
The aircraft will feature the latest Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit and several avionics add-ons will be available. Total flight time is expected to be up to 90 minutes as battery technologies evolve. The eDA40 is expected to reduce operating costs by up to 40 per cent compared to traditional piston aircraft.
"The eDA40 will be the first EASA/FAA Part 23 certified electric airplane with DC fast charging, specifically tailored to the flight training market," says Diamond Aircraft Austria CEO Liqun Zhang. "Making flying as eco-friendly as possible has always been at the core of Diamond Aircraft, with our fuel-efficient jet fuel powered aircraft producing less CO2 and noise emissions compared to conventional piston aircraft engines.”
The eDA40 is a development of its collaboration with Siemens on the 2011 DA36 E-Star that had a serial hybrid electric drive system based on the HK36 motor glider, and the 2013 DA36 E-Star 2 with improved performance and increased payload. Further research led to the introduction of a hybrid electric multi engine plane (HEMEP) with lower fuel consumption and decreased noise pollution.
Diamond Aircraft Industries Canada CEO Scott McFadzean adds: "The eDA40 with its proven airframe, quick recharge capability and low operating cost will be an excellent aircraft for the flight training market.” Indeed the aircraft is aimed at flight training customers looking for an electric circuit trainer based on the DA40. EPS CEO Nathan Millecam notes: "Training aircraft set the stage for demonstrating that electric aircraft can meet the demands of high paced, high volume operations at a reduced cost basis.”
Initial flights of the eDA40 are scheduled for Q2 2022 and certification is expected in 2023.
| Contact details from our directory: | |
| Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH | Airframer |
| Electric Power Systems (EPS) | Lithium-ion Batteries, Storage Batteries, Thermal Batteries |
| Garmin International | ADS-B systems, Air Data Computers, Airborne Communication Systems, Attitude and Heading Reference Systems, Automatic Flight Control Systems, Autopilots, Autothrottle Systems, Avionics Management Systems, Collision Avoidance Systems/TCAS, Electronic Flight Instrument Systems, Engine Indicator Instruments, Flight Directors, Flight Management Systems, GPS, Head-Up Displays, Instrument Landing Systems, Magnetometers, Moving Maps, Onboard Airport Navigation Systems, Onboard Computers, Onboard Intercom Systems, Position Indicators, Radar Transponders, Radar/Radio Altimeters, Radio Communications Equipment, Satellite Receivers, Storm-Warning Radar, Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems, Transceivers, VOR (Omnirange) Receivers, Weather Mapping Radar |
| Related aircraft programs: |
| Diamond DA40 Diamond Star |
| Related directory sectors: |
| Airframe Assemblies |
Weekly news by email:
See the latest Bulletin, and sign up free‑of‑charge for future editions.
Airbus Atlantic commits to EPI for metallic ATR components
Boeing commits to expand in Charleston County
GCAP partners agree to go ahead with next gen combat aircraft
