Diamond Aircraft Da42 Vi vs Diamond Aircraft Da62 vs Piper M350 vs Piper M500 vs Piper M600 Sls
By category, the Diamond DA42 VI and DA62 are piston twin‑engine aircraft, generally favored for efficient personal, training, and light business missions, while the Piper M350, M500, and M600 SLS are single‑engine turboprops positioned for higher cruise speeds and more “pressurized, travel”‑oriented capability. In range, the DA42 VI typically offers the shortest cross‑country reach of this group, with the larger DA62 extending range somewhat beyond the DA42. The turboprop Pipers generally out‑range both Diamonds: the M350 and M500 are commonly comparable long‑leg travelers, and the M600 SLS is typically the longest‑range option among these five, reflecting its higher‑power, higher‑performance design. For passenger capacity, the DA42 VI is usually operated with up to four occupants, the DA62 with up to seven, while the Piper M350, M500, and M600 SLS are typically configured for about five to six occupants depending on interior layout. Overall, the Diamonds emphasize twin‑engine redundancy and efficiency, whereas the Piper M‑series emphasizes pressurized comfort and longer, faster point‑to‑point travel.
| Spec | Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI | Diamond Aircraft DA62 | Piper M350 | Piper M500 | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.11 | $ 1.18 | $ 1.34 | $ 3.11 | $ 2.19 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft | Diamond Aircraft | Piper | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | DA42 VI | DA62 | M350 | M500 | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1273 | 1283 | 1343 | 1000 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.28 | $ 0.24 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.78 | $ 0.55 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1298 | 1565 | 1308 | 1698 | 2200 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 211 | $ 225 | $ 285 | $ 579 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 190 | 190 | 213 | 260 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $869,000 | $1,290,000 | $1,195,000 | $2,122,600 | $3,081,400 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Total Seats | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 5.6 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | — | No | No |
| Min Crew | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | MID | MID |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | Refreshment Centre | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 12600 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 8244 | 8644 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Model | AE300 | AE330 | TIO-540-AE2A | PT6A-42A | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | Diesel / Jet Fuel | Diesel / Jet Fuel | AvGas | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1800 | 1800 | 2000 | 3600 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 168 | 180 | 350 | 500 | 600 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 76.4 | 86 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 79.4 | 89 | 120 | 170 | 260 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | — | 12 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | — | ISA + 55 | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 28.1 | 30.1 | 29 | 29.6 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 44.5 | 47.8 | 43 | 43.2 | 43.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.2 | 9.3 | 11.4 | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 12.3 | 12.3 | 12.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 165 | 165 | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 13 | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 20 | 20 | 20 |