On Jan. 9, Pratt and Whitney Canada announced it would build a new type of small, efficient turbofan to power Cessna’s new entry-level Mustang, which was introduced at last year’s NBAA Convention. Trying to beat Eclipse at its own game, Cessna heavily promoted its smallest jet ever and chose the PW615F to power the new Mustang. Rated at 1,350 pounds of takeoff thrust, the engine also offers a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) system.. On Jan. 15, Diamond Aircraft announced it will have its own single-engine mini-jet in the air in 2004 and start delivering it in 2006. “This is a natural progression for us,” said Peter Maurer, Diamond’s North American CEO. The D-Jet, as it is currently known, will carry five people at 315 knots on 34 gph. Cabin altitude will be 8,000 feet at 25,000 feet. Diamond is projecting a price of “well under” $1 million U.S.
