Akagera Aviation welcomes two new Diamond aircraft

Akagera Aviation Flying Academy, based at Kigali International Airport (Rwanda), recently took delivery of one twin-engine DA42-VI and one single-engine DA40 NG Tundra version. These are the first Diamond aircraft for the flight school. According to Akagera Aviation they chose Diamond Aircraft for its pilot training fleet due to three main reasons:

• Fleet commonality: Diamond Aircraft is the only sole source supplier for single and multi-engine trainer aircraft, as well as flight simulators and proprietary engines. Offering huge advantages such as minimized instructor standardization, rapid student transition, streamlined maintenance procedures and reduced parts inventory.
• Jet-fuel powered aircraft: jet-fuel is easy to get and much cheaper than AvGas in Rwanda. Furthermore, Akagera Aviation will benefit from fuel and operational cost efficiencies with a lower environmental impact.
• Next generation aircraft: Akagera Aviation found Diamond aircraft to be the right aircraft to train next generation pilots.

Patrick Nkulikiyimfura, Managing Director, Akagera Aviation, commented: “This delivery is just the beginning of many more aircraft and flight simulator(s) to follow, and we strongly believe Diamond Aircraft will help us achieve our goal of becoming a Center of Excellence in the region.” 

The DA40 NG and the DA42-VI represent the newest versions of Diamond’s technology leading piston aircraft fleet, the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology (composite) airframes, avionics and powerplants.

The DA40 NG and DA42-VI are equipped with efficient, clean and reliable jet-fuel piston Austro engines and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics systems, representing the very best of modern piston aircraft technology. The DA40 NG Tundra version features reinforced landing gear attachments, standard Beringer wheels wearing meaty 22 inch 8.50 x 6 mains, and a special long stroke hydraulic damper, controlling the extra heavy duty extended nose gear strut, soak up rough terrain with ease.

Jane Wang, Sales Director, Diamond Aircraft Austria, said: „We are proud to welcome Akagera Aviation to our long list of renowned flight school customers and are looking forward to support them on their future journey. Akagera Aviation will not only utilize the most modern piston training aircraft technology available but also take advantage of Diamond’s operational cost efficiencies, low environmental impact and best safety record in the industry.”