https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/private-pilots/aircraft/da62/overview/ Image Unavailable, Please Login Looks pretty sleek! Any informed opinions on the DA62?
Except much smaller. You wear a Diamond, doesn't matter which model. Makes a Mooney feel like an airliner.
I am a huge fan of the DA 42 and DA 62. Our DA42 is in a pre-buy right now for sale and we have a DA 62 in pre-buy to replace the 42. The 42 is a decent 170 kts true on 15GPH total for both engines. Usually after a local 45 minute flight the total fuel burn is around 8 or 9 gallons. My partner in the 42 is 6 foot 3 inches tall and he can easily sit in the back seats. The DA 62 is faster and has 7 seats, plus a lot of other features such as air conditioning. One of the things I like the most is the hot start procedure. It is exactly the same as the cold start. Turn the key and it starts. The run up is a push of a button, the computer does the run up entirely, all that you do is watch it happen. Very economical to fly and own. It is a lot like a King Air on a cross country. Not a whole lot to do, the Diesel engines are a lot like a cheap turbine. I have had our DA 42 in ice and flown it down to minimums several times. Really love the fact that you don't have to worry about shock cooling a water cooled engine. Only real issue is no pressurization.
Always liked the Diamond twins, and owned a DA40 for a few years. I stepped up to a Meridian and then an M600. Not sure why someone would spend $1M+ on an unpressurized piston with no air conditioning when the used turboprop market offers cabin class speed and altitude for that money behind a bullet proof PT6.
I went form a King Air F-90 to a CJ to a DA 42. I got really tired of $40,000 to $50,000 annuals. One of our first expenses on the CJ was a part no bigger then my hand and weighed about half of a cell phone. It cost $12,000 and that was over 10 years ago. I bet it is $20,000 now. There are many more examples that just insulted my financial senses. The DA-42 annuals were usually about $4,500, but will be cheaper soon for the 62 as we are going to send one of my mechanics to Diamond training so we can do it ourselves. So no more pressurization and I now fly mostly VFR under 10,000 feet, but no more crazy bills. It was time for me to simplify. Plus I alway prefer piston engines over jets. The Diamond is a great airplane.
There’s one that frequents the airport where I keep my 310Q. Unique sounding and looking for sure! cheers Dave
Have you been in a 62? Agreed the 40 and 42. I think the 62 seems to be much larger, and the 50 will be as well.
We fly the 40NG and love the fact we use Jet-A, just because lol. Love the FADEC system and most everything about it. You should go to London to visit the factory, it's really an eye opener to see these being built from a little dust, cloth, and resin to out the door. That's our Clemson Tiger being delivered. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I haven't had the Columbia 400 for a few years, but I'm still a fan of it. The DA62 only has it beat backup engine, > 4 passengers, current support, and more useful. I guess that's a bunch.
I few more, this was where they made the Mosquitos I think. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I haven't flown since the Columbia, so I never "upgraded". I had my fun, decided to start flying in a wide seat with a Scotch.
