Diamond Aircraft Da42 Vi vs Piper M350 vs Piper Seminole
The Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI and Piper M350 sit in different classes despite both being modern general‑aviation airplanes. The DA42 VI is a twin‑engine piston aircraft typically used for training, touring, and light utility missions; it generally offers seating for about four people and a comparatively long endurance for its size, with real‑world range often on the order of roughly 1,000 nautical miles depending on power settings and reserves. The Piper M350 is a high‑performance, pressurized, single‑engine turboprop designed for faster, higher‑altitude personal and business travel; it typically seats about six and offers a longer cross‑country range, commonly around 1,300 nautical miles, again varying with payload and conditions. The Piper Arrow is a retractable‑gear, single‑engine piston airplane positioned as a complex trainer and personal traveler; it usually seats four and has the shortest range of the three, often in the neighborhood of about 700–900 nautical miles depending on model, fuel, and cruise choices.
| Spec | Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI | Piper M350 | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.11 | $ 1.34 | $ 1.36 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | DA42 VI | M350 | Arrow |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1273 | 1343 | 700 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.28 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.23 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1298 | 1308 | 1191 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 211 | $ 285 | $ 221 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 190 | 213 | 162 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $869,000 | $1,195,000 | $765,000 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | 2 |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 5.6 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 4 | 4 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No |
| Model | AE300 | TIO-540-AE2A | O-360-AIH6 |
| Fuel Type | Diesel / Jet Fuel | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 1800 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 168 | 350 | 180 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Carbureted |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 76.4 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 79.4 | 120 | 108 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 | 12 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 28.1 | 29 | 27.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 44.5 | 43 | 38.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.2 | 11.4 | 8.5 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 12.3 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 13 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 20 | — |