eDA40 Eyed For Training Duties With Lufthansa Aviation Training JF doesn't normally cover Piston aviation as this is a Jet and turboprop Forum. The Diamond DA40 would normally be Piston related but the eDA40 is fully-electric. In the realm of flight training, Diamond Aircraft Austria and Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI covers an eDA40 purchase intention to supplement the current regular DA40 NG fleet as well as analyses for the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) for the regular fleet. Diamond Aircraft introduced the eDA40 to the market in October 2021. It will be the first EASA/FAA Part 23 certified electric airplane with DC fast charging, capable of turning around a depleted aircraft in under 20 minutes. Flight times are expected to improve to around 90 minutes as battery technology improves.
"We have enjoyed a long and trusting partnership with Diamond Aircraft," said Matthias Spohr, CEO Lufthansa Aviation Training. "Diamond Aircraft's fuel-efficient DA40 and DA42 models are already operating very successfully at our flight schools in Rostock (Germany) and Grenchen (Switzerland). I am very pleased that with the signing of the LOI for the all-electric eDA40, we are now jointly opening a groundbreaking chapter in the topic of sustainability. This topic is of particular significance for our European Flight Academy, which is known for its high and globally recognized quality standards in selection and training. The testing of the all-electric eDA40 is an important step towards future pilot training in an even more environmentally friendly manner." eDA40 first trial phase at LAT’s Grenchen, Switzerland base is expected to take place end of 2023/beginning of 2024, after technical clearance is provided. For more information: Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH N. A. Otto-Strasse 5 2700 Wiener Neustadt www.diamondaircraft.com ***
