New hope for the D Jet?
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New hope for the D Jet?
Anybody else heard that Diamond Aircraft Canada just sold 60% ownership to a Chinese firm? May spell new hope for the D Jet program.
Re: New hope for the D Jet?
More like bye bye diamond if that's the case.
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Re: New hope for the D Jet?
http://www.lfpress.com/2016/12/20/londo ... eports-say
A Chinese company has bought a controlling stake in London’s Diamond Aircraft plant, paving the way for production of larger aircraft at the factory and a possible doubling in employment over the next 18 months.
A deal was reached this month to sell 60 per cent of Diamond Aircraft Canada to Wanfeng Aviation, a division of a large Chinese conglomerate, Diamond Canada president Peter Maurer said Tuesday.
Under the deal, Diamond Aircraft, based in Austria, will transfer to London production of the DA62, a seven-seat aircraft dubbed the “Flying luxury SUV,” and the diesel version of the single-engine, four-seat DA-40.
All research and design of those aircraft will also be moved.
Diamond Canada sales of the aircraft will also expand from North America to a global market.
“It’s a terrific deal that secures our future. For the Diamond brand, its a win-win,” said Maurer.
Maurer said he expects the company could double its employment of 150 over the next 18 months. Diamond Canada is placing ads in aviation magazines recruiting for the new positions.
Speculation that Chinese investors were scoping out Diamond Canada had been around for years.
Maurer said the aviation industry is growing rapidly in China, its airspace opening up to private pilots after long being controlled by the military.
The small planes produced by Diamond are ideal for pilot training, said one industry observer.
“There is a vast and growing market in Asia for pilot training and they have to start somewhere,” said Charles Alcock, editor-in-chief of New Jersey-based Aviation International News.
Chinese investors are often viewed with suspicion, especially lately with the rhetoric of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. But Alcock said Chinese involvement can provide a big boost to business.
“There is potential for a win-win.” he said. “If the Chinese are involved, it doesn’t mean it’s sinister.”
Wanfeng is a large publicly-traded company, and Maurer said Wanfeng is already a player in the London area. It also owns the Diamond Flight Centre at the London International Airport and in 2013 it acquired Meridian Technologies, a metal castings plant in Strathroy.
Wanfeng’s acquisition of Diamond Canada won’t affect Diamond’s operations in Austria, which will continue to operate independently with new projects on the books.
The price paid by Wanfeng for the 60-per-cent stake in Diamond Canada wasn’t disclosed and Maurer wouldn’t comment on the ownership structure of the remaining 40-per-cent stake in the company.
Along with new models, the London Diamond plant will continue to produce the two-seat DA-20, and the gasoline version of the four-seat DA-40.
The plant also makes frames for the Dornier Seastar, a 12-passenger amphibious plane.
Maurer will continue as president of Diamond Canada, but Frank Chen of Wanfeng will become chairperson of the board.
Maurer said the sale to Wanfeng required approvals from the federal government, but the deal has been finalized.
Diamond has a licensed manufacturing plant in China producing the DA-40 four-seat aircraft. The plant will continue to produce that model, but only for the Chinese market.
In the spring of 2010, Diamond suffered a major setback after the federal government refused its request for a $35-million loan to aid in developing its D-Jet, a personal jet aircraft. The plant struggled for years, laying off about half its 400 workers, but has bounced back with new work in recent years,
Maurer said the company isn’t ruling out a revival of the D-Jet program but said it
“It’s a beautiful airplane and we were 70 per cent through the program when it was suspended. A lot of people here would love to see it come back at some point,” he said.
hdaniszewski@postmedia.com
twitter.com/HankatLFPress
--- --- ---
Diamond Aircraft Canada
— London aircraft and parts maker.
— Manufactures DA-20 two-seat aircraft and DA-40 single-engine, four-seater.
— Makes frames for the Dornier Seastar, a 12-passenger amphibious plane.
— Opened in 1993 as Canadian subsidiary of company headquartered in Austria
Wanfeng Aviation Canada
— Division of a large publicly-traded Chinese conglomerate.
— Corporate parent involved in auto parts, aircraft manufacturing, robotics and financial services
— Already has a foot in the region, in Meridian Technologies in Stratford and the Diamond Flight Centre, a flight training school not associated with Diamond Aircraft Canada.
A Chinese company has bought a controlling stake in London’s Diamond Aircraft plant, paving the way for production of larger aircraft at the factory and a possible doubling in employment over the next 18 months.
A deal was reached this month to sell 60 per cent of Diamond Aircraft Canada to Wanfeng Aviation, a division of a large Chinese conglomerate, Diamond Canada president Peter Maurer said Tuesday.
Under the deal, Diamond Aircraft, based in Austria, will transfer to London production of the DA62, a seven-seat aircraft dubbed the “Flying luxury SUV,” and the diesel version of the single-engine, four-seat DA-40.
All research and design of those aircraft will also be moved.
Diamond Canada sales of the aircraft will also expand from North America to a global market.
“It’s a terrific deal that secures our future. For the Diamond brand, its a win-win,” said Maurer.
Maurer said he expects the company could double its employment of 150 over the next 18 months. Diamond Canada is placing ads in aviation magazines recruiting for the new positions.
Speculation that Chinese investors were scoping out Diamond Canada had been around for years.
Maurer said the aviation industry is growing rapidly in China, its airspace opening up to private pilots after long being controlled by the military.
The small planes produced by Diamond are ideal for pilot training, said one industry observer.
“There is a vast and growing market in Asia for pilot training and they have to start somewhere,” said Charles Alcock, editor-in-chief of New Jersey-based Aviation International News.
Chinese investors are often viewed with suspicion, especially lately with the rhetoric of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. But Alcock said Chinese involvement can provide a big boost to business.
“There is potential for a win-win.” he said. “If the Chinese are involved, it doesn’t mean it’s sinister.”
Wanfeng is a large publicly-traded company, and Maurer said Wanfeng is already a player in the London area. It also owns the Diamond Flight Centre at the London International Airport and in 2013 it acquired Meridian Technologies, a metal castings plant in Strathroy.
Wanfeng’s acquisition of Diamond Canada won’t affect Diamond’s operations in Austria, which will continue to operate independently with new projects on the books.
The price paid by Wanfeng for the 60-per-cent stake in Diamond Canada wasn’t disclosed and Maurer wouldn’t comment on the ownership structure of the remaining 40-per-cent stake in the company.
Along with new models, the London Diamond plant will continue to produce the two-seat DA-20, and the gasoline version of the four-seat DA-40.
The plant also makes frames for the Dornier Seastar, a 12-passenger amphibious plane.
Maurer will continue as president of Diamond Canada, but Frank Chen of Wanfeng will become chairperson of the board.
Maurer said the sale to Wanfeng required approvals from the federal government, but the deal has been finalized.
Diamond has a licensed manufacturing plant in China producing the DA-40 four-seat aircraft. The plant will continue to produce that model, but only for the Chinese market.
In the spring of 2010, Diamond suffered a major setback after the federal government refused its request for a $35-million loan to aid in developing its D-Jet, a personal jet aircraft. The plant struggled for years, laying off about half its 400 workers, but has bounced back with new work in recent years,
Maurer said the company isn’t ruling out a revival of the D-Jet program but said it
“It’s a beautiful airplane and we were 70 per cent through the program when it was suspended. A lot of people here would love to see it come back at some point,” he said.
hdaniszewski@postmedia.com
twitter.com/HankatLFPress
--- --- ---
Diamond Aircraft Canada
— London aircraft and parts maker.
— Manufactures DA-20 two-seat aircraft and DA-40 single-engine, four-seater.
— Makes frames for the Dornier Seastar, a 12-passenger amphibious plane.
— Opened in 1993 as Canadian subsidiary of company headquartered in Austria
Wanfeng Aviation Canada
— Division of a large publicly-traded Chinese conglomerate.
— Corporate parent involved in auto parts, aircraft manufacturing, robotics and financial services
— Already has a foot in the region, in Meridian Technologies in Stratford and the Diamond Flight Centre, a flight training school not associated with Diamond Aircraft Canada.
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goingnowherefast
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Re: New hope for the D Jet?
They will have to decide if there is enough of a market to continue developing a single engine VLJ. There's a lot of small jets available, and it's a tough economy to sell a "rich guy's toy".
Re: New hope for the D Jet?
Curiously buried in that story: when did Wanfeng buy the DFC?
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Big Pistons Forever
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Re: New hope for the D Jet?
If the Cirrus jet sells, I would imagine the D jet project would get revived.
Re: New hope for the D Jet?
Looks like Wanfeng now owns all of Diamond...both the European and Canadian parts. Apparently designing a turbo prop trainer called the Dart.. Doubt that it will have a Dart for the engine though....
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... ft-444596/
China's Wanfeng Aviation snaps up Diamond Aircraft
China’s Wanfeng Aviation has acquired Diamond Aircraft Group, the Austrian-headquartered parent company of one of Europe's largest general aviation aircraft manufacturers, Diamond Aircraft Industries, and its Canada-based sister.
The purchase, which also includes the company's Austro Engine division, comes a year after the Wanfeng Auto Holding subsidiary acquired a 60% stake in the Canadian operation, and is intended to assure the company's "continued long-term future".
Diamond was created in 1996 as a rebrand of Austria's HOAC. The motorglider developer had been acquired five years earlier by outgoing chief executive Christian Dries and his family, which set about turning the small company into a major developer of propeller-driven aircraft.
More than 15 models and derivatives have been produced by the Wiener Neustadt-headquartered airframer to date, including the two-seat DA20 Katana and four-seat DA40 piston singles; the DA42 and DA62 piston-twins and the short-lived D-JET single-engined personal jet.
Dries describes Diamond as "my life's work", adding that "the right partner" needed to be found in order to secure its longevity.
"Wanfeng and specifically [chairman] Mr Bin Chen share my vision of the future of general aviation," Dries notes. He says it is "investing for the right reasons, with a long-term strategy and the resources to see its vision through. I look forward to seeing Diamond develop further, and based on our successful year-long partnership in Diamond Canada, I am fully satisfied that I leave Diamond in very good hands."
Under Wanfeng’s ownership, work will continue on Diamond’s latest models, including the in-development Dart 450 turboprop trainer, which is scheduled to enter service this year, and the DA50 family of diesel-fuelled light aircraft.
Chen says the Diamond team "has developed a broad range of superb aircraft that have gained worldwide respect for their performance, efficiency, safety, and innovation. Based on this excellent foundation, we intend to take Diamond to a long-term leadership position in worldwide general aviation".
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... ft-444596/
China's Wanfeng Aviation snaps up Diamond Aircraft
China’s Wanfeng Aviation has acquired Diamond Aircraft Group, the Austrian-headquartered parent company of one of Europe's largest general aviation aircraft manufacturers, Diamond Aircraft Industries, and its Canada-based sister.
The purchase, which also includes the company's Austro Engine division, comes a year after the Wanfeng Auto Holding subsidiary acquired a 60% stake in the Canadian operation, and is intended to assure the company's "continued long-term future".
Diamond was created in 1996 as a rebrand of Austria's HOAC. The motorglider developer had been acquired five years earlier by outgoing chief executive Christian Dries and his family, which set about turning the small company into a major developer of propeller-driven aircraft.
More than 15 models and derivatives have been produced by the Wiener Neustadt-headquartered airframer to date, including the two-seat DA20 Katana and four-seat DA40 piston singles; the DA42 and DA62 piston-twins and the short-lived D-JET single-engined personal jet.
Dries describes Diamond as "my life's work", adding that "the right partner" needed to be found in order to secure its longevity.
"Wanfeng and specifically [chairman] Mr Bin Chen share my vision of the future of general aviation," Dries notes. He says it is "investing for the right reasons, with a long-term strategy and the resources to see its vision through. I look forward to seeing Diamond develop further, and based on our successful year-long partnership in Diamond Canada, I am fully satisfied that I leave Diamond in very good hands."
Under Wanfeng’s ownership, work will continue on Diamond’s latest models, including the in-development Dart 450 turboprop trainer, which is scheduled to enter service this year, and the DA50 family of diesel-fuelled light aircraft.
Chen says the Diamond team "has developed a broad range of superb aircraft that have gained worldwide respect for their performance, efficiency, safety, and innovation. Based on this excellent foundation, we intend to take Diamond to a long-term leadership position in worldwide general aviation".
Re: New hope for the D Jet?
Diamond dart is now flying.
https://www.diamondaircraft.com/wp-cont ... TEFWIn0%3D
Had a tour of the factory in Austria recently. Quite fascinating.
https://www.diamondaircraft.com/wp-cont ... TEFWIn0%3D
Had a tour of the factory in Austria recently. Quite fascinating.
Re: New hope for the D Jet?
Looks like the poor man’s Pilatus.
I suspect this won’t do so well in the military training market. Slotted between the G120TP and the T-6, PC-21, and EMB-314, all of which already have simulation and support partners and operators, it’s going to be a tough sell.
I suspect this won’t do so well in the military training market. Slotted between the G120TP and the T-6, PC-21, and EMB-314, all of which already have simulation and support partners and operators, it’s going to be a tough sell.
Re: New hope for the D Jet?
I was going to say that for the development cost of something like that you’d have to be pretty sure it’s measurably better than what’s already out there, then I looked up the Air Force inventory in China and saw they don’t have anything remotely like this. The smallest trainer currently on strength looks to be analogous to the Hawk and has been in service since 1990. If that’s their target market, they’ll do fine.
Re: New hope for the D Jet?
If China is the market they better be willing to make some serious changes. GE engine, Garmin avionics, Martin-Baker seats, produced by a company from a country subject to EU arms regulations. Can’t see the Chinese going for an aircraft so dependent on the EU and US.
That said, I’ve been wrong before and will no doubt be wrong in future. It just seems to go against their homegrown Air Force modernization of the last decade.
That said, I’ve been wrong before and will no doubt be wrong in future. It just seems to go against their homegrown Air Force modernization of the last decade.
