Diamond DART series
The Diamond DART is a series of tandem, two-seat civilian and military turboprop trainers manufactured by Austrian Diamond Aircraft, "DART" meaning "Diamond Aircraft Reconnaissance Trainer". Development. The DART-450 made its first flight on 17 May 2016. Certification of the $3.1 million plane was expected by the end of 2017. The first two deliveries were to be for a non-certificated kit version in 2017, while a certificated aircraft was expected to be delivered in September 2018. Diamond intends to deliver 50 aircraft per year. The third prototype was expected to fly in late 2017, powered  by a 550hp (410kW) GE Aviation engine. Design. The DART-450 is built predominately from carbon fibre. It is powered by a Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop engine, driving a five-bladed MT Propeller. The cockpit accommodates two crew on ejection seats. The avionics are provided by Garmin and the fuselage is able to mount an optional retractable surveillance camera, plus other equipment.