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Diamond Aircraft is flight testing the eDA40 electric trainer.
Latvian airline airBaltic’s training arm has signed a letter of intent with Diamond Aircraft to purchase three eDA40 electric training aircraft.
European certification of the battery-powered development of Diamond’s DA40 trainer is expected in 2025.
Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) was the first to sign a purchase intention with Diamond for the eDA40, in March 2023. The aircraft made its first flight in July 2023, and Diamond and LAT conducted an operational evaluation of the electric trainer in April.
The three eDA40s are part of a five-aircraft purchase agreement signed by airBaltic Training, which includes a pair of conventionally powered, twin-engine DA54-VIs. The deal will grow the fleet at airBaltic’s Pilot Academy at Liepaja International Airport to 15 aircraft.
The operational evaluation by Lufthansa Group’s European Flight Academy provided data on how best to operate a mixed fleet of battery-powered eDA40s and DA40 NGs powered by a diesel aeroengine burning jet fuel. With limited flight endurance, the eDA40 would be used for airport pattern training.
The eDA40 is powered by a 125-kW Safran ENGINeUS 100 electric motor and has an 80-kWh Electric Power Systems EPIC battery system. With a DC fast-charging station, the dual-string battery system can be recharged in 20-30 min., reducing downtime and increasing training efficiency, Diamond says.
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