Compare Cessna Skyhawk vs Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI vs Piper Arrow
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| Manufacturer | Cessna | Diamond Aircraft | Piper |
| Aircraft Type | 172 Skyhawk | DA42 VI | Arrow |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $415,000 | $869,000 | $765,000 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 118 | $ 211 | $ 221 |
| DOC / nm | $ 0.95 | $ 1.11 | $ 1.36 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.24 | $ 0.28 | $ 0.23 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 124 | 190 | 162 |
| Max Range (nm) | 640 | 1273 | 700 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | - | 1298 | 1191 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Cockpit | - | - | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | - | - | 4 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Weights | |||
| MTOW (lbs) | 2550 | 4407 | 3800 |
| MLW (lbs) | 2550 | 4407 | - |
| BEW (lbs) | - | 3109 | 2625 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | - | 1298 | 1191 |
| Fuel Capacity (lbs) | 318 | 536 | 648 |
| Useful Load Max Fuel (lbs) | - | 762 | 543 |
| Max Baggage Weight (lbs) | 120 | - | - |
| Dimensions | |||
| Wingspan (ft) | 36.1 | 44.5 | 38.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9 | 8.2 | 8.5 |
| Length (ft) | 27.2 | 28.1 | 27.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4 | - | - |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.4 | - | - |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 11.9 | - | - |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 30 | - | - |
| Engine | |||
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Diamond Aircraft | Piper |
| Model | IO-360-L2A | AE300 | O-360-AIH6 |
| Horsepower | 200 | 168 | 180 |
| FADEC | No | Yes | No |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 1800 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | - | 12 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | Diesel / Jet Fuel | AvGas |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Carbureted |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 42 | 79.4 | 108 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | - | 76.4 | - |
| Avionics | |||
| Flight Deck | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Standby Instrument | - | Gyro / Analog | Aspen Avionics EFD1000 |
| Autopilot | Garmin GFC 700 | Garmin GFC 700 | Garmin GFC 700 |
| PFD | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| MFD | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| GPS | - | 2 | 2 |
| AHRS | - | 1 | - |
| Flight Director | - | 1 | 1 |
| ADC | - | 1 | - |
| Transponder | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| VHF Com | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| VHF NAV | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Cockpit | - | - | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | - | - | 4 |
| Other | |||
| Prop Manufacturer | McCauley | MT Propeller | Hartzell |
| Prop Description | 2-Blade Metal Fixed | 3-Blade Constant | 2-Blade Constant Feathering |
| Gear Type | Float | Retractable Nose-Wheel | Retractable |
| Float Type | Amphib | - | - |
| Warranty | |||
| Airframe (Yrs) | - | - | 2 |
| Engine (Yrs) | - | - | 3 |
| Prop (Yrs) | - | - | 3 |
| Avionics (Yrs) | - | - | 2 |
| Performance | |||
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 124 | 190 | 162 |
| Cruise Speed @ 75% (ktas) | - | 176 | - |
| Long Range Cruise (ktas) | - | 145 | 162 |
| Max Speed (Vne) | - | 188 | - |
| Stall Speed - Clean (kias) | 48 | - | - |
| Stall Speed - Flaps (kias) | - | 61 | - |
| Max Range (nm) | 640 | 1273 | 700 |
| Endurance (hrs) | - | 11.75 | - |
| Take-off Roll (ft) | 1630 | 1148 | 1100 |
| Take-Off >50ft Obst. (ft) | - | 2011 | 2200 |
| Landing Roll (ft) | 1335 | 1099 | 770 |
| Landing >50ft Obst. (ft) | - | 1893 | 1490 |
| Max Climb Rate (fpm) | 730 | 1337 | - |
| Service Ceiling (ft) | 14000 | 18000 | 15000 |