Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH has announced that a new variant of the Diamond Aircraft DART series flew for the first time in May 2018. The new DART-550 training aircraft is powered by the General Electric GE H75-100 turboprop engine rated at 550shp (410kW) featuring an electronic engine and propeller control system, a five-blade, fully featherable MT propeller. It features Martin Baker Mk16 ejection seats and Garmin G3000 integrated avionics systems. The expected maximum speed is 247kts with a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of 2,400kg (5,291lb) and an empty mass (fully equipped) of 1,600kg (3,527lb). Maximum endurance at loiter speed of the DART-550 will be eight hours plus reserve at MTOM. The DART-550 will be in the static display at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK between July 16 and 22.
