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Diamond DA62

Twin-Engine Light-Class Passenger Aircraft (2015)

The Diamond DA62 of Austrian origin features sleek styling, luxury, and fuel efficiency as its core selling points.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/24/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria was founded in 1981 with a focus on light-class aircraft and flight-related simulators. Its first product became the HK36 "Dimona" motor-glider. Since then, the concern has grown to employ over 2,000 personnel and its catalog of aircraft has only deepened. One of their most recent offerings is the Diamond DA62, a lightweight "twin" capable of carrying up to seven passengers depending on internal seat configuration.

A first-flight in prototype form was had on April 3rd, 2012 and production, beginning in 2015, has netted around 25 vehicles since introduction.

The DA62 has origins in the earlier DA50 "Super Star" / "Magnum" model which, itself, first-flew on April 4th, 2007. This five-seat, single-engine example was tested against various engine fits of the gasoline and diesel nature. This aircraft utilized a fixed, wheeled tricycle undercarriage, held its engine in the nose section driving a four-bladed propeller unit, and sported a "T-style" tail unit with low-set mainplane wings.

From this work evolved the DA62 (its prototype was designated "DA52", two being completed, and first-flying on April 3rd, 2012) which incorporated a twin engine arrangement, each nacelle installed at each wing mainplane leading edge. Many of the physical features (including the T-style tail unit) were carried over from the DA50. The tricycle undercarriage was now made retractable and, internally, seating could be variable between five and seven passengers depending on model type (European or American market, respectively). The engine(s) of choice became a pair of Austro AE300 diesel-burning units (Jet-A fuel) with the possibility to replace these with turboprops in the future.

Diamond Aircraft are consistently recognized for their sleek styling and aerodynamic streamlining which work well in maximizing fuel efficiency in the various company designs. The DA62 is no different.

The new aircraft did suffer through a period of delays as it was intended to hit the market in the middle of July 2013 but was not certified for European airspace until April of 2015. American certification was not granted until February of 2016.

As completed, the DA62 offers a maximum speed of 228 miles per hour while being able to cruise in the 200mph range and operate out to 1,500 miles. Its service ceiling can reach 20,000 feet and rate-of-climb is stated at 1,200 feet-per-minute. The 2 x Austro AE330 diesel engines output at 180 horsepower each and drive three-bladed propeller units. Construction involves lightweight, yet strong, composites (carbon airframe structure).

The avionics fit is the Garmin G1000NXi system with standard 3-axis GFC700 Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), electronic stability, and yaw damper. The instrument panel is clean and dominated by two full-color, 10" glass displays with controls within easy reach. Power controls are of the single-lever FADEC variety. Rudder pedals are electrically adjustable and the flap system is electrically-driven. The GDC72 works as the aircraft's digital air data computer. Several options are available in the cockpit to suit buyer taste including a Garmin GDL69A satlink unit, Garmin GWX70 weather radar system, and Avidyne TAS605 traffic advisory system.

Dimensions include an overall length of 30.1 feet, a wingspan of 48.2 feet and a height measuring 7.5 feet.

Twin-row seating is offered in the European model which sports a reduced Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) for better operations at crowded civilian airports. The American model has three-row seating. Entry/exit is by way of gull-wing-type hinged doors giving complete access to the interior. Oversized windows provide maximum viewing for pilot and passengers alike. Baggage can be held in two compartments sharing the nose, one along the portside and the other along the starboard side.

The DA62 is actively marketed by Diamond today (2018) for its reliable twin-engine fit, fuel economy and luxury offerings. It is also recognized for its excellent handling, stability and overall performance - allowing single-engine pilots to relatively effortlessly transition to the Diamond twin without any setbacks.

Specifications

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