On May 17, 2016 the turbine powered DART-450 took off for its first flight.

The DART-450 (Diamond Aircraft Reconnaissance Trainer) is the worldwide first all-carbon fiber tandem, 2-seat civilian and military trainer with a sidestick and pneumatic ejection seats.

The +7/-5G aerobatic airplane has a maximum take-off power of 500 hp, is equipped with the Ivchenko-Progress / Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop engine, a 5-blade MT propeller, and a GARMIN avionic system. Maximum endurance of the DART is 8 hours plus reserve.

Within the first 60 minutes of flight time, speeds between 60 – 200 knots IAS have been tested at various altitudes. Expected top speed is 250 knots TAS.

“Company Chief Test Pilot Ingmar Mayerbuch and Flight Test Engineer Thomas Wimmer have been so excited about the first results that certification and serial production is green-lighted”, said Christian Dries, CEO Diamond Aircraft.

Diamond Aircraft Chief Designer Clemens Knappert: “We achieved our target from the first drawings to the first flight in one year. I'm already excited about what comes next.”