Right on schedule, in fact a little in advance, the FAA has certified the $1 million Diamond twin-diesel-engine DA62 that won certification in Europe in April of 2015. The action allows deliveries to begin in the United States.
Certification was not expected until March or April.
Originally named the DA52, it was renamed the DA62 to differentiate it from the four-seat Diamond DA42. The DA62 is available in two basic configurations: with five seats and a 4,407-pound maximum takeoff weight, and seven seats with a 5,071-pound limit. Both configurations are powered by 180-horsepower Austro Engine AE 330 engines. At maximum power, the aircraft can achieve more than 190 knots true airspeed while burning a total of 18 gph, but generally it is expected to cruise at 160 KTAS burning a total for both engines of 12 gph.
“Our all new DA62 is getting overwhelming high praise from everyone that flies it,” said Peter Maurer, president and CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. (Canada).
The aircraft is currently on a demonstration tour in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. Details of a tour in the southeastern United States will be released soon.