Post by Tom Goodrick on Oct 13, 2009 9:54:06 GMT -5
Both FLYING and AOPA Pilot Magazines have come out this month with articles on the Diamond D-Jet. I understand that there are models of the D-Jet for some versions of some flight simulators. That is a bit premature. The performance of the real aircraft is yet to be determined.
Diamond is careful about predicting specs. They do not want to over-sell this aircraft. It appears to be a nice short-range jet that could be used by some rich folks as a personal jet. But once again its performance will probably be about the same as a turboprop. Rich people would be better off in many ways to buy a Beech C90GT. Only bystanders on the ground could tell much difference. Seating is 2+3 limiting utility considerably.
The D-jet is limited to a ceiling of 25,000 ft and currently to 215 KIAS although that is expected to move up to 250 KIAS after certification tests are completed. It has both a stick pusher and vetral strakes to keep it out of deep stall. In deep stall the high tail would be blanked giving no control for recovery. They are avoiding the need for expensive and dangerous spin tests with these measures to avoid stall.
Everytime the plane lands in slush, it looks like the nose wheel will send junk directly into the intakes. If you lose the engine, you will go into the trees at 75 knots. But it probably has very strong seats.
Diamond is careful about predicting specs. They do not want to over-sell this aircraft. It appears to be a nice short-range jet that could be used by some rich folks as a personal jet. But once again its performance will probably be about the same as a turboprop. Rich people would be better off in many ways to buy a Beech C90GT. Only bystanders on the ground could tell much difference. Seating is 2+3 limiting utility considerably.
The D-jet is limited to a ceiling of 25,000 ft and currently to 215 KIAS although that is expected to move up to 250 KIAS after certification tests are completed. It has both a stick pusher and vetral strakes to keep it out of deep stall. In deep stall the high tail would be blanked giving no control for recovery. They are avoiding the need for expensive and dangerous spin tests with these measures to avoid stall.
Everytime the plane lands in slush, it looks like the nose wheel will send junk directly into the intakes. If you lose the engine, you will go into the trees at 75 knots. But it probably has very strong seats.