Photograph:
Diamond DA-62 demonstrator VH-DNU (c/n 62.027) at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon, VIC in March 2017 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Austria
Description:
Five / six seat light twin-engine monoplane
Power Plant:
Two 134 kw (180 hp) Austro Engine AE300 2000 cc turbocharged four-cylinder common-rail injected diesel engines
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
- Length: 9.19 m (30 ft 2 in)
- Height: 2.28 m (7 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 17.1 m² (184.1 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 379 km/h (235 mph)
- Max speed: 367 km/h (228 mph)
- Cruising speed: 325 km/h (202 mph)
- Stalling speed: 125 km/h (78 mph)
- Rate of climb: 366 m/min (1,200 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 6,096 m (20,000 ft)
- Single-engine ceiling: 3,962 m (13,000 ft)
- Take-off roll: 480 m (1,575 ft)
- Landing roll: 390 m (1,280 ft)
- Range: 2,380 km (1,479 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 326 litres (72 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 1,570 kg (3,461 lb)
- Useful load: 726 kg (1,600 lb)
- Loaded weight: 2,300 kg (5,071 lb)
History:
Diamond Aircraft in Wiener Neustadt, Austria commenced business producing the DA-20 Katana series and in due course was the instigator of aircraft being fitted with diesel engines to reduce running costs. It produced fibreglass gliders for many years and continued this method of production in its powered general aviation type aircraft. The DA-62 was a development of the DA-42 with a larger fuselage able to take up to six persons.
The aircraft was advertised as the ideal synthesis of space and performance. It built on the strength of the world’s bestselling twin piston aircraft, the DA-42, but with increased performance, payload, cabin volume and utility. “The large and comfortable cabin with seating capacities of up to 7 seats sets new standards in general aviation. A compelling mix of distinctive styling, consistent lightweight carbon design and superior flying dynamics.”
The DA-62, initially known as the DA-52 in prototype form, of which two examples were built, was developed from the single-engine DA-50. The first prototype was flown for the first time on 3 April 2012 and in June 2014 it was announced production was to commence. By mid 2016 there was a lot of interest in the aircraft and the manufacturer announced production would be increased to 60 to 62 aircraft a year. Engines were the Austro Engine AE300 four-cylinder diesel driving three-blade MT constant-speed propellers.
The European Aviation Safety Authority [EASA] issued the aircraft’s Type Certificate in April 2015, and US FAA certification was received on 23 February 2016.
First example of the series arrived in Australia on 16 April 2016, being imported by Hawker Pacific of Bankstown, NSW, the Australasian distributor, as a demonstrator. This aircraft became VH-DNU (c/n 62.027) with Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd of Bankstown Airport on 1 August 2016.
The demonstrator VH-DNU was flown 18,500 km (11,495 miles) in 60 flying hours from the manufacturing facility at Wiener Neustadt to the Hawker Pacific base at Bankstown. As part of the delivery flight the aircraft flew from Perth, WA to Sydney, NSW non-stop with a tailwind, covering 3,427 km (2,129 miles) using 443 litres (97.4 Imp gals) of fuel.
Production of the DA-20 continued in Canada but manufacture of the DA-40 and DA-62 moved from Austria to Canada. In early 2017 it was announced the majority control of Diamond Aircraft Canada had been sold to a Chinese company, Wangeng Aviation.
In late March 2017 a further example arrived in Melbourne, this being N118CY (c/n 62.031).