Kigali International airport, Rwanda-based Akagera Aviation Flying Academy has recently taken delivery of one twin engine DA42-VI, along with a single engine DA40 NG Tundra, the first Diamond aircraft for the flight school.

The company says it chose the aircraft for reasons of fleet commonality: Diamond Aircraft is the sole source supplier for single and multi engine trainer aircraft, as well as flight simulators and proprietary engines, offering huge advantages such as minimised instructor standardisation, rapid student transition, streamlined maintenance procedures and reduced parts inventory. Also, the aircraft are jet-fuelled, and jet fuel is easy to get and much cheaper than Avgas in Rwanda. The company notes that it will benefit from fuel and operational cost efficiencies with a lower environmental impact from these next generation aircraft.

“This delivery is just the beginning of many more aircraft and flight simulators to follow, and we strongly believe Diamond Aircraft will help us achieve our goal of becoming a centre of excellence in the region,” says managing director Patrick Nkulikiyimfura.

The DA42-VI represents the newest version of Diamond's technology-leading piston aircraft fleet, the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology composite airframes, avionics and powerplants.

It is equipped with efficient, clean and reliable jet-fuel piston Austro engines and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics systems, representing the very best of modern piston aircraft technology.

"We are proud to welcome Akagera Aviation to our long list of renowned flight school customers and are looking forward to supporting it on its future journey,” says Diamond Aircraft Austria sales director Jane Wang. “Akagera Aviation will not only utilise the most modern piston training aircraft technology available but also take advantage of Diamond's operational cost efficiencies, low environmental impact and best safety record in the industry.”