Aircraft: Two Times the Fun
June 1, 2005
Diamond aircraft DA42 Twin Star
There is nothing like the feel of a
twin-engine aircraft. As any “twin driver” will tell you, the view of those two
props and the handful of throttles is what flying is all about. Pilots will
rationalize owning a twin with talk of the safety of redundant systems and
higher speed, but the real reason for having a multiengine aircraft lies in the
visceral satisfaction derived from operating such a machine.
For the first
time in 25 years, a new light twin-engine aircraft is poised to enter the U.S.
market. Diamond Aircraft, the Austrian-based builder of motor gliders, trainers,
and single-engine personal aircraft, has obtained full European certification
for its new twin-engine DA42 Twin Star; FAA certification for the United States
is expected to be granted this summer.
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The Twin Star is not just a rehash of
previous four-seat, twin-engine aircraft rendered in composite materials. It is
a dramatic new entry into a niche market that has seen little development since
the introduction of the Ted Smith Aerostar nearly 40 years ago. (Click image to enlarge)
Although its
unusual proportions, forward-hinged canopy, T-Tail, and winglets are interesting
features, the most revolutionary parts of the DA42 are the new TAE (Thielert
Aircraft Engines) Centurion 1.7 liquid-cooled, turbocharged diesel powerplants
within its narrow, streamlined nacelles. For flying enthusiasts who cannot put
the words “diesel engine” and “flight” into the same sentence, rest assured that
the Centurion is a very advanced jet-fueled piston aircraft engine with FAA
certification. The Centurion is based on the design of the 4-cylinder
Mercedes-Benz 1.7-liter automotive diesel, but is engineered for aircraft use.
Rather than burning expensive Avgas or automotive diesel fuel, the Centurion
sips common aviation Jet A1, the preferred diet of jets and turboprops.
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