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Utility Air has bought 13 refurbished Diamond aircraft to offer to flight training schools to buy or lease for a cut-price fee.
The Sydney-based distributor said the five DA20s and eight DA42s are on their way to London, Ontario, where they will receive new engines, props, interiors and paint.
John Oppenheim, director of Utility Air, said, “The past year has been challenging for flight schools. We have seen a lot of organisations which need new product be unable to justify the investment in these uncertain times.
“Being able to provide a state of the art training aircraft at either a low hourly acquisition cost or a low hourly rate should be a game-changer for many of our customers.”
The aircraft will be ready for handover by the end of the third quarter of 2021.
The business’ managing director, Stephen Pembro, said the DA20s and DA42s would have the look and functionality of a new model but at less cost and with less impact on the environment.
“They will also be available sooner than new aircraft and pricing will fall midway between new and used,” said Pembro.
Last year, Australian Aviation reported how Diamond Aircraft appointed Utility Air to become its new ANZ parts distributor.
It comes after the local business invested $2 million in a new facility and announced plans to tour the diesel-powered DA40 NG in Australia.
In total, Diamond estimates 5,000 of its aircraft are flown by pilots and flight training operators globally.
