Diamond Aircraft’s DA42 Twin Star has been awarded certification by the European Aviation Standards Agency (EASA), eighteen months after it completed its maiden flight.

“I am delighted to be receiving this certificate,” said ceo Christian Dries. “Such an aggressive

development and certification programme was only possible thanks to the exemplary cooperation between our company and the airworthiness authorities.”

The company has received more than 370 orders for the Twin Star, 122 of which were placed in April this year. In order to meet the demand, Diamond’s Wiener Neustadt factory will supplement production.

The aircraft is powered by TAE Centurion 1.7 diesel jet engines and features a fully integrated Garmin G1000 glass flight deck. According to Diamond, the Twin Star is the first aircraft to have certified application of the G1000 glass cockpit.

The Twin Star recently completed its maiden flight with Lycoming engines, as reported in last

month’s EBAN. Diamond is hoping that the Lycoming-powered version of the aircraft will receive certification next year.