Diamond Aircraft Da40 Xlt vs Diamond Aircraft Da42 Vi vs Diamond Aircraft Da62
The Diamond DA40 XLT is a single‑engine, four‑seat piston aircraft aimed primarily at training and economical personal travel. It offers the shortest range of the three, typically on the order of roughly 600–900 nautical miles depending on power setting, payload, and fuel fit, and it is best suited to short‑to‑moderate cross‑countries with one to three passengers and bags. The Diamond DA42 VI moves into the light twin category with two diesel Austro engines, commonly seating four and often configured up to five. It generally provides longer, more flexible cross‑country capability than the DA40, with typical ranges around roughly 1,000–1,200 nautical miles, along with added redundancy and higher cruise efficiency for multi‑engine operations. The Diamond DA62 is the largest, a light twin designed for family or business travel with a typical seating capacity of five to seven. It offers the greatest passenger and baggage utility and long‑leg capability, with typical ranges around roughly 1,100–1,300 nautical miles, though real‑world range varies significantly with passenger count, fuel load, and speed.
| Spec | Diamond Aircraft DA40 XLT | Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI | Diamond Aircraft DA62 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| DOC / nm | $ 0.88 | $ 1.11 | $ 1.18 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft | Diamond Aircraft | Diamond Aircraft |
| Aircraft Name | DA40 XLT | DA42 VI | DA62 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 790 | 1273 | 1283 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.22 | $ 0.28 | $ 0.24 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 900 | 1298 | 1565 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 125 | $ 211 | $ 225 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 190 | 190 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $485,000 | $869,000 | $1,290,000 |
| Cockpit | — | — | 2 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | — | 3 |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Cockpit | — | — | 2 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | — | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | — | 3 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | Yes | Yes |
| Model | IO-360 M1A | AE300 | AE330 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | Diesel / Jet Fuel | Diesel / Jet Fuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 1800 | 1800 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | — | — |
| Horsepower | 180 | 168 | 180 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 48 | 76.4 | 86 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 50 | 79.4 | 89 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 26.5 | 28.1 | 30.1 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 38.2 | 44.5 | 47.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 6.5 | 8.2 | 9.3 |