Is this news true ???????????

[AMERICAN EAGLE]

London Free Press

http://pbdba.lfpress.com/cgi-bin/publis ... &s=careersDiamond's D-Jet test 'a big step'
Norman De Bono
Sun Media
The D-Jet has again taken flight over London -- and it's none too soon, as orders are coming in for the private jet.


MAUER: More than 800 orders already.


GLICKMAN: Says Diamond a world leader.


On Friday, Diamond Aircraft tested the first prototype of its five-passenger private jet it hopes to make next year in London.

The company already has more than 300 orders, Diamond president Peter Maurer said Sept. 17.

"This is a big step forward for us. This is the actual configuration of a production aircraft, similar to what we will sell down the road," he said.

Diamond test flew a concept jet aircraft in London last year. The prototype used last week closely resembles how the D-Jet, which will sell for nearly US$1.4 million, will look and perform when it rolls off the line in 2008.

Diamond has to build and test three more prototypes before it can sell the jet. The D-Jet performed as expected during the test flight, with good handling and response and there were no surprises, Maurer said.

"They have to undergo 1,500 flight time hours of certification testing. Design and certifying a program requires a lot of work."

The D-Jet's aerodynamic performance and handling quality were tested on Friday as the plane flew to 3,300 metres. Future prototypes will have more advanced systems on board.

As for where the D-Jet will be made, Diamond is in a holding pattern, having requested a loan from Industry Canada.

Though Maurer wouldn't say how much Diamond wants from Ottawa, the Industry Canada program can fund up to 30 per cent of a project.

The D-Jet program costs more than $100 million, so funding could total more than $30 million.

Maurer downplayed questions if Diamond, which has been wooed by Montreal's economic development office and cities in the United States, will move its plant if it doesn't receive the money.

"Our intention is to build it here," he said.

Diamond has received from the provincial government $1 million to train workers and $10 million to develop technology for the jet.

The D-Jet program may see the plant double in size, adding more than 500 workers.

"This is a very important plant for London," said Steve Glickman, director of business retention for the London Economic Development Corp.

"They're putting a huge amount of money into research and development and the loan would alleviate some of those investments."

Industry Canada recently "rejigged" how it awards its loans, causing the delay, Glickman said.

"Diamond is a star in manufacturing, it's a national firm that exports most of its products. It's a world and industry leader," he said.

Diamond, which has more than 500 workers in London, expects to do more than $100 million in sales this year out of the plant at London International Airport.

The plant will manufacture 100 DA-42 twin-engine four-seater aircraft, 160 DA-40, single-engine four-seater aircraft and 60 DA-20, two-seater aircraft.

Diamond, based in Austria, sells about 550 planes a year, making it the third-largest manufacturer in its segment, trailing only Cessna and Cirrus.

Norman De Bono is a Free Press business reporter.




E-MAIL: ndebono@lfpress.com

[DanJ]

What news are you asking about? This article is several years old, and as far as I know, they are building the D-Jet at YXU now.

[Troubleshot]

Maybe if you put one more question mark in the subject line you will find your answer...