Diamond Aircraft Da42 Vi vs Piper M600 Sls
The Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI and the Piper M600 SLS sit in different segments. The DA42 VI is a modern, piston-powered, twin‑engine light aircraft commonly used for training, touring, and light utility work, emphasizing efficiency and redundancy. The M600 SLS is a higher‑performance, pressurized, single‑engine turboprop designed for faster personal and business travel with more power and higher-altitude capability. In range, the M600 SLS is generally the longer‑leg airplane, typically capable of roughly 1,000+ nautical miles under favorable cruise and reserve assumptions, while the DA42 VI is usually in the several‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class, often around 700–900 nautical miles depending on configuration, power setting, and reserves. For passenger capacity, both are often operated with one pilot and several passengers, but the M600 SLS is typically configured for up to six seats, offering more cabin volume and comfort for passengers. The DA42 VI is commonly a four‑seat aircraft, suited to smaller parties and lighter baggage loads.
| Spec | Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI | Piper M600 SLS |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.11 | $ 2.19 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | DA42 VI | M600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1273 | 1406 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.28 | $ 0.55 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1298 | 2200 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 211 | $ 603 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 190 | 274 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $869,000 | $3,081,400 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 4 |
| Cabin | ||
| Total Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 |
| Lavatory | — | No |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Galley Location | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 5.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8644 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | AE300 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | Diesel / Jet Fuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1800 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 168 | 600 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 76.4 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 79.4 | 260 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 28.1 | 29.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 44.5 | 43.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.2 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 12.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 20 |