Diamond Aircraft Highlights US Training Fleet Growth at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

USA – Training aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft completed DA40 XLT and DA42-VI deliveries to two US universities and prepared a DA40 NG for delivery to SkyWarrior Flight Training during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.

• Three training aircraft were connected with customer handovers at the event:
  • DA40 XLT delivered to Middle Tennessee State University
  • DA42-VI delivered to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • DA40 NG scheduled for delivery to SkyWarrior Flight Training after AirVenture. The SkyWarrior aircraft forms part of a previously announced order for 18 Diamond aircraft.
• SkyWarrior provides Part 61 and Part 141 training, including an accelerated pathway from Private Pilot through Multi-Engine Instructor. The Florida-based school also supports military and international pilot-training activity.
• Middle Tennessee State University’s updated fleet information lists 50 training aircraft: 38 Diamond DA40s, three DA20s, seven Piper Seminoles, one Piper Super Cub and one Cirrus SR22T. The university identifies 2026 among the acquisition years for both its DA20 and DA40 fleets, indicating that the AirVenture delivery forms part of continuing fleet renewal.
• Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Flight Operations Center currently lists 87 Cessna 172s and 14 Diamond DA42-VIs.
• Diamond displayed five aircraft models at AirVenture: the DA40 XLT, DA40 NG, DA42-VI, DA50 RG and DA62. The DA40 XLT is powered by a 180 hp Lycoming IO-360 engine, while the DA40 NG uses a 168 hp Austro Engine AE300 capable of operating on jet fuel.
• The DA42-VI is a four-seat multi-engine aircraft powered by two 168 hp Austro Engine AE300 engines and equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. Diamond markets the DA40 and DA42 families as a common single- and multi-engine training fleet.
• Nearly 150 aircraft owners, pilots, flight-school representatives and partners attended Diamond’s second Flying Club event at Oshkosh.
• AFM previously reported that Diamond established a network of Diamond Authorized Training Centers in 2025 to connect aircraft supply with OEM-recognised flight-training organisations.

Statements

• “These aircraft represent strong, long-term partnerships with some of the world’s leading aviation training organizations. We are proud to support our customers with efficient, advanced single- and multi-engine aircraft for the training of future professional pilots,” said Bin Chen, Chairman of Diamond Aircraft Group.

Source: Diamond Aircraft