Diamond Aircraft Da42 Vi vs Piper Seminole vs Tecnam P2006t
The Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI and Tecnam P2006T are modern light twins, while the Piper Arrow is a single‑engine complex piston aircraft. In category terms, the DA42 VI is typically positioned as a high‑efficiency, IFR-capable multi‑engine touring and training platform with advanced avionics and strong single‑engine handling characteristics for its class; the P2006T is also a light twin aimed heavily at training and economical multi‑engine operations, generally simpler and lower‑performance than the DA42 VI. The Piper Arrow fits the retractable‑gear, constant‑speed‑prop single‑engine segment, commonly used for complex training and personal cross‑country flying rather than multi‑engine missions. For range, the DA42 VI generally offers the longest practical range among the three due to efficient engines and aerodynamics, the Arrow typically provides solid but shorter single‑engine touring range, and the P2006T usually sits in a similar or somewhat shorter range bracket than the Arrow depending on configuration and reserves. Passenger capacity is broadly similar in nominal seating: the DA42 VI and P2006T commonly have four seats, and most Piper Arrows are also four‑seat aircraft, though real‑world payload with full fuel varies by model and equipment.
| Spec | Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI | Piper Arrow | Tecnam P2006T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.11 | $ 1.36 | $ 0.96 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft | Piper | Tecnam |
| Aircraft Name | DA42 VI | Arrow | P2006T |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1273 | 700 | 669 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.28 | $ 0.23 | $ 0.24 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1298 | 1191 | 748 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 211 | $ 221 | $ 144 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin GTN 650 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 190 | 162 | 150 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $869,000 | $765,000 | $625,000 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 4 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No |
| Model | AE300 | O-360-AIH6 | 912 S3 |
| Fuel Type | Diesel / Jet Fuel | AvGas | AvGas / MoGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 1800 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 168 | 180 | 100 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Carbureted | Carbureted |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 76.4 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 79.4 | 108 | 52.8 |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 | 15 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 9 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 28.1 | 27.6 | 28.5 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 44.5 | 38.6 | 37.4 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 3 |