Embry-Riddle Receives New Diamond Aircraft DA42-VI Fleet at EAA AirVenture 2016

Dr. Karen A. Holbrook, Interim President of Embry-Riddle, accepted the aircraft and Diamond's contribution of $65,000 to top up the existing endowed scholarship fund to $100,000 from Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. CEO Peter Maurer on Tuesday during a presentation at Diamond’s booth at the annual air show event.

"Scholarship support from industry is a vital part of not only attracting future aviators, but also retaining these passionate and talented students," Dr. Holbrook said. "With this endowment, Diamond is leading by example. They are proving their commitment to investing in future aviation talent."

The DA42-VI is the flagship of Embry-Riddle's fleet and will be used to provide multiengine training at its Daytona Beach, Fla., campus. Compared to conventional AVGAS powered twins, the fleet of 10 aircraft is expected to generate more than $3 million in fuel savings alone, over the next eight years.

Embry-Riddle has the largest suite of DA42’s of any flight training institute of higher education in the United States and Canada. In addition to the fleet at the Daytona Beach campus, there are four DA42's currently used for flight training at Embry-Riddle's Prescott, Ariz., campus.

“We are proud of our long-standing relationship with Embry-Riddle and commend them on their vision regarding new technologies,” said Maurer, President and CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (Canada).  “These aircraft are expected to be in operation at Embry-Riddle through 2024 and as such it was of particular importance for the university to consider the advanced technologies that only Diamond delivers. We are particularly proud of the exemplary safety record that the DA42 has accumulated in North America.”

The DA42-VI is the newest version of Diamond’s technology-leading light piston twin, the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframe, avionics and powerplants. Nearly 1,000 DA42’s have been delivered since its introduction 10 years ago, outselling all other certified piston twins combined. The all-carbon composite DA42’s are equipped with efficient, clean and reliable turbo-diesel AUSTRO engines, Garmin G1000 with 3-axis Automatic Flight Control System and optional electrically driven air conditioning.

“Our strong relationship with Diamond within both of our flight programs at our Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses combined with the advanced technology, a shared commitment to being environmentally responsible and the simple fact that our students love flying them makes this an exciting step forward for our university,” said Ken Byrnes, Chair of the Flight Department at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus. “The completely modernized aerodynamics, airframe, jet-fuel piston engines and glass cockpit appeal to the students, while the low-noise signature and eco-friendly design and functionality are important not only to the university, but our local community.”