Safran; Diamond Collaborate On eDA40 Training schools in the future could have their hands on an all-electric version of the DA40 aircraft from Diamond Aircraft in the form of the eDA40. If this happens it would be as a result of a collaboration that Diamond Aircraft and Safran are currently establishing. "We still have to do a lot of evaluation and development," Diamond CEO Frank Zhang said yesterday at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany. He anticipates first flight by year-end and basic EASA certification in late 2023 or early 2024.
The electric motor that will power the eDA40 is expected to be certified in 2023. Safran’s EngineUs electric motor will provide the eDA40 with 130 kW of takeoff power. A DC fast-charging system will reinstate full charge to the aircraft’s batteries in less than 20 minutes which will be appealing to schools that require high-turnaround for student training. Zhang said, "We expect operating costs for the eDA40 to be 40 percent lower,". Endurance will be about 90 minutes, and the eDA40 will be marketed as a flight trainer and be fitted with the latest G1000 suite -the Garmin G1000 NXi- .
Diamond Aircraft is at the Aero Friedrichshafen show showcasing an example of the eDA40 with it plugged in and 'charging'. There are a number of other things the two entities (Diamond and Safran) have to work out in relation to the batteries and motor. They have the powerplant equipped with an integrated motor controller system while controlling thermal management is by air cooling. The Diamond eDA40 will be the first EASA/FAA Part 23 certified electric airplane with Direct Current (DC) fast charging. For more information: Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH N. A. Otto-Strasse 5 2700 Wiener Neustadt www.diamondaircraft.com ***
