Diamond Aircraft Da62 vs Piper M500
The Diamond Aircraft DA62 and the Piper M500 sit in different aircraft categories and are optimized for different missions. The DA62 is a modern twin‑engine piston aircraft, typically flown for efficient personal and business travel with a strong emphasis on redundancy and low operating costs. The M500 is a single‑engine turboprop, positioned as a higher‑performance, pressurized step-up aircraft aimed at faster, higher-altitude travel and greater payload flexibility. In range, the DA62 generally offers solid mid-to-long cross-country capability for a piston twin, suitable for regional and many interstate trips, while the M500 typically provides longer legs and better high-altitude cruise efficiency thanks to its turboprop power and pressurization, making it more comfortable and practical for longer routes and weather. For passenger capacity, the DA62 is commonly configured for up to seven seats, making it attractive for larger families or small groups. The M500 is usually configured around six seats, focusing more on speed, altitude, and load-carrying capability than maximum seating.
| Spec | Diamond Aircraft DA62 | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.18 | $ 3.11 |
| Total Seats | 5 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | DA62 | M500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1283 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.24 | $ 0.78 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1565 | 1698 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 3 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 225 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 190 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $1,290,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 3 | 4 |
| Lavatory | — | No |
| Min Crew | — | 1 |
| Galley Location | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 5.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Refreshment Centre |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8244 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | AE330 | PT6A-42A |
| Fuel Type | Diesel / Jet Fuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 1800 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 180 | 500 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 86 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 89 | 170 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 55 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 30.1 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 47.8 | 43.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.3 | 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 |