Diamond DA62
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
| name = DA52 and DA62 | image = Diamond Sky, ES-KEN, Diamond DA-62 (36833726330).jpg | caption = DA62 }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type = Twin engine light aircraft | national origin = Austria | manufacturer = Diamond Aircraft Industries | designer = | first flight = 3 April 2012 | introduced = October 2015 | retired = | primary user = | more users = | produced = 2015–present | number built = 120 (April 2019) | program cost = | developed from = Diamond DA50 | variants with their own articles = }} |
The Diamond DA62 is a five- to seven-seat, twin-engine light aircraft produced by Diamond Aircraft Industries and first announced in March 2012.{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/DiamondAircraft_AeroFriedrichshafen_DA52_DA42V1_206336-1.html|title = At Aero, More New Stuff From Diamond |access-date = 14 March 2012|last = Bertorelli|first = Paul|date = 17 March 2012| work = AVweb}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.diamond-air.at/news_detail+M5bb6311be29.html|title = Erstflug der neuen DA52 von Diamond Aircraft|access-date = 5 April 2012|last = Diamond Aircraft Industries|author-link = Diamond Aircraft Industries|date = 3 April 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120406081930/http://www.diamond-air.at/news_detail+M5bb6311be29.html|archive-date = 6 April 2012|url-status = dead}}{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/da52_fligGht_stats_fly_by_wire_control_206566-1.html|title = Diamond Shares DA52 Maiden Flight Stats|access-date = 23 April 2012|last = Pew|first = Glenn|date = 20 April 2012| work = AVweb}}
The prototype, designated as the DA52, first flew on 3 April 2012 after six months of development.{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/DiamondFliesItsNewDA52_206462-1.html|title = Diamond Flies Its New DA52 |access-date = 5 April 2012|last = Bertorelli|first = Paul|date = 3 April 2012| work = AVweb}} In June 2014 it was announced the production aircraft would be designated the DA62.{{Cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/diamond39s-top-of-the-range-da52-becomes-da62-400121/|title=Diamond's top-of-the-range DA52 becomes DA62|author=Reed Business Information Limited|work=flightglobal.com|access-date=27 April 2015|date=2014-06-05}}{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Diamond-Renames-the-DA52-the-DA62222112-1.html|title = Diamond Renames The DA52 The DA62|access-date = 6 June 2014|last = AVweb Staff|date = 4 June 2014|work = AVWeb|archive-date = 6 June 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140606210615/http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Diamond-Renames-the-DA52-the-DA62222112-1.html|url-status = dead}}
Design and development
The DA62 development team is headed by Diamond managing director Manfred Zipper. It is based upon the fuselage of the single-engine Diamond DA50, but with two Austro AE330 Diesel engines burning Jet A fuel. Company CEO Christian Dries indicated that the engines may be replaced with turboprops.
In flying the prototype from Diamond's Wiener Neustadt plant to the 2012 AERO Friedrichshafen aviation trade show, the aircraft achieved 16.6 mpg (14.2 litres/100 km) fuel efficiency, the result of improvements in cooling drag and aerodynamic drag made during its development.{{Cite news | url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/Diamond_DA52_Centerpiece_206542-1.html | title=Diamond's DA52 A Centerpiece | access-date=19 April 2012 | last=Bertorelli | first=Paul | date=18 April 2012 | work=AVweb}}
The company originally intended to have the aircraft available for sale in July 2013 and expected to offer fly-by-wire controls as an option by 2014, but development was delayed and those dates were not met. The DA62 was European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-certified on 16 April 2015.{{Cite web |first=Mary |last=Grady |url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Diamond-DA62-Twin-Now-EASA-Certified-223874-1.html |title=Diamond DA62 Twin Now EASA-Certified |work=avweb.com|agency=Aviation Publishing Group |date=16 April 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.diamond-air.at/media-center/press-releases/news/article/diamond-da62-receives-easa-certification.html|title=Diamond Aircraft DA62 receives EASA Certification|work=Diamond Aircraft Industries|access-date=27 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811035153/http://www.diamond-air.at/media-center/press-releases/news/article/diamond-da62-receives-easa-certification.html|archive-date=11 August 2015|url-status=dead}} By September 2015, the company was preparing to deliver the first production DA62s to customers the following month and was manufacturing the first aircraft destined for the United States market—the tenth DA52/DA62 to be built and the third production aircraft—for an appearance at that year's National Business Aviation Association Convention in November.{{Cite web|last=Sarsfield |first=Kate |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/diamond-readies-first-da62-piston-twins-for-delivery-417057/ |title=Diamond readies first DA62 piston twins for delivery |website=FlightGlobal |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=22 September 2015 |access-date=3 August 2016}} American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification was received on 23 February 2016{{Cite web
| url = http://www.flyingmag.com/new-diamond-twin-snags-faa-certification
| title = New Diamond Twin Snags FAA Certification
| website = Flying
| date = 25 February 2016
| access-date = 2016-02-26
}}"Diamond DA62 FAA Certified!" Diamond Aircraft Industries Retrieved 2016-2-26 The FAA certification came ten months after EASA certification. At the 2016 AERO Friedrichshafen show, Diamond's CEO Christian Dries reported that production would be increased to 60–62 aircraft per year to meet strong demand.{{Cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Aero-Diamond-Says-Strong-Demand-for-DA62-226118-1.html|title=Aero: Diamond Says Strong Demand For DA62|work=avweb.com|access-date=25 April 2016|date=2016-04-22}}
The aircraft is available in two weight versions. The "European" version has five seats and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of {{Convert|1999|kg|0}}, the "US" version has seven seats and a MTOW of {{Convert|2300|kg|0}}.{{Cite web|last=Pope |first=Stephen |url=http://www.flyingmag.com/we-fly-diamond-da62 |title=We Fly: Diamond DA62 |website=Flying |date=3 December 2015 |access-date=3 August 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/EASA-TCDS_DA42_A005%20issue%2031.pdf |title=EASA Type Certificate Data Sheet No. EASA.A.005: {{Sic|nolink=y|Diamond DA 42 and variant}}; For models: {{Sic|nolink=y|DA 42, DA 42 M, DA 42 NG, DA 42 M-NG, DA 62}}; Issue 31 |date=1 July 2016 |access-date=3 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817051925/https://www.easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/EASA-TCDS_DA42_A005%20issue%2031.pdf |archive-date=17 August 2016 |url-status=dead}} The lower MTOW of the "European" version is to allow operators to avoid higher weight-based air traffic control user charges. The third row of seating and increased MTOW of the "US" version are available as factory options at extra cost. At the 2016 AERO Friedrichshafen, Christian Dries said a special version with an additional baggage belly pod was under consideration for the air charter market.
By April 2019 more than 120 DA62s had been delivered.{{Cite web|url = http://flash.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Aero-Diamond-Revives-the-DA-50-This-Time-as-a-Retrac-232611-1.html |title = Aero: Diamond Revives The DA-50, This Time As A Retrac|access-date = 12 April 2019|last = Bertorelli |first = Paul|work = AVweb|date = 10 April 2019|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20190412141939/http://flash.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Aero-Diamond-Revives-the-DA-50-This-Time-as-a-Retrac-232611-1.html|archivedate = 12 April 2019}} Aircraft are built in both Austria and Canada.
In January 2023, it was announced that Aeromot will assemble DA62s in Brazil from kits supplied by Diamond Aircraft Canada, starting in 2025. The intention is to ramp-up production to 50 aircraft per year. The completed aircraft will be sold primarily in the south American market.{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/aeromot-to-assemble-diamond-da62s-in-brazil/|title= Aeromot To Assemble Diamond DA62s In Brazil|access-date= 28 January 2023|last= Kate|first= O'Connor |work= AVweb|date= 26 January 2023|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230127214056/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/aeromot-to-assemble-diamond-da62s-in-brazil/|archive-date= 27 January 2023|url-status= live}}
Operational history
Notable owners include German Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz, who, controversially flew to the wedding of Minister of Finance Christian Lindner in July 2022, claiming that the DA62 consumed less fuel than official limousines. Media fact checking disputed that claim however, conceding that the total consumption will probably be lower, if the travelling speed and detours—almost unavoidable for cars bound to roads—are factored into the comparison.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdf.de/uri/fe4d0e32-2319-41e6-bbed-d24736b3665c|title=Merz-Flugzeug im Faktencheck: Wer verbraucht mehr Sprit?|website=www.zdf.de}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tz.de/auto/friedrich-merz-flugzeug-kosten-verbrauch-diamond-da62-ppl-sylt-cdu-flieger-hochzeit-lindner-zr-91660659.html|title=Flugzeug von Friedrich Merz: So schnell ist es, so viel kostet und verbraucht es|website=www.tz.de|date=3 August 2022 }}
On October 6, 2023, the Nigerian Air Force acquired four DA 62 MPPs, registered in Nigeria as NAF260/261/262/263.https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2023-news-aviation-aerospace/october/9289-nigerian-air-force-receives-last-of-four-diamond-aircraft-da-62-mpp-mpp-multi-purpose-platform.html {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
In July 2024, a contract was signed for the sale of three DA62 MPPs for €23.3 million.{{Cite web |last=Papageorgiou |first=Giorgos |date=2024-04-04 |title=Πολιτική Προστασία: Έπεσαν υπογραφές για 3 αεροσκάφη εναέριας επιτήρησης |trans-title=Civil Protection: signatures for 3 aerial surveillance aircraft |url=https://flight.com.gr/politiki-prostasia-epesan-ipografes-gia-ta-aeroskafi-enaerias-epitirisis/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Flight (Πτήση) |language=el |quote=Ο υπουργός Κλιματικής Κρίσης και Πολιτικής Προστασίας, Βασίλης Κικίλιας, υπέγραψε σήμερα σύμβαση για την προμήθεια 3 δικινητήριων αεροσκαφών εναέριας επιτήρησης Diamond DA62 MPP, μέσω διαγωνισμού που εξέλιξε το ΤΑΙΠΕΔ. [...] Τα αεροσκάφη θα αξιοποιούνται ως εναέρια κέντρα επιχειρήσεων, παρακολούθησης και καταγραφής δεδομένων (air-surveillance) με χρήση ηλεκτροπτικών συστημάτων τελευταίας τεχνολογίας. Ο προϋπολογισμός ήταν 23.336.000 ευρώ. |trans-quote=The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, today signed a contract for the supply of 3 Diamond DA62 MPP twin-engine aerial surveillance aircraft, through a tender developed by the Hellenic State Property Fund. [...] The aircraft will be used as airborne operations, monitoring and data recording centres (air-surveillance) using state-of-the-art electro-electrical systems. The budget was 23'336'000 euros.}} They were bought by Greece for the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection(el), to serve as air operations centers for firefighting and SAR, as well for aerial surveillance. The delivery is set to be completed by the third quarter of 2025.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-04 |title=Diamond Aircraft secures contract with Greek Government for three DA62 Special Mission Aircraft |url=https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/about-diamond/newsroom/news/article/diamond-aircraft-secures-contract-with-greek-government-for-three-da62-special-mission-aircraft/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |website= |publisher=Diamond Aircraft Industries |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-04 |title=Έκλεισε η συμφωνία για την αγορά 3 αεροσκαφών DA62 MPP από την Ελλάδα |trans-title=Agreement for the purchase of 3 DA62 MPP aircraft from Greece |url=https://www.pronews.gr/amyna-asfaleia/aeroporia/ekleise-i-symfonia-gia-tin-agora-3-aeroskafon-da62-mpp-apo-tin-ellada/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Pronews.gr |language=el |quote=Σήμερα υπογράφηκε η σύμβαση για την αγορά τριών δικινητήριων αεροσκαφών DA62 MPP, τα οποία θα λειτουργήσουν ως Εναέρια Κέντρα Επιχειρήσεων για παρακολούθηση και καταγραφή δεδομένων με τη χρήση ηλεκτροπτικών συστημάτων τελευταίας γενιάς. Το ΓΕΑ θα αναλάβει την λειτουργία και συντήρηση των τριών αεροσκαφών για λογαριασμό του Υπουργείου Πολιτικής Προστασίας. |trans-quote=Today the contract was signed for the purchase of three DA62 MPP twin-engine aircraft, which will operate as Airborne Operations Centres for monitoring and data recording using the latest generation of electrostatic systems. HAFGS will undertake the operation and maintenance of the three aircraft on behalf of the Ministry of Civil Protection.}}
Variants
File:Diamond DA52 prototype maiden flight.png
File:Diamond Aircraft Industries, OE-VAM, Diamond DA62 (34839110404).jpg 2017]]
;DA52
:Prototype, two built.
;DA62
:Five–seven seat production variant with an extra third window and larger horizontal stabilizer.{{Cite web|url=http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/pistons/five-seat-diamond-da-62-twin-revealed|title=Five-Seat Diamond DA-62 Twin Revealed|date=1 March 2015}}
;DA62 MPP
:"Multi-Purpose Platform" variant intended for law enforcement, search and rescue, and surveillance operations.{{Cite web |title=Eye in the sky: Diamond Aircraft's DA62 MPP special mission platform |url=https://skiesmag.com/features/eye-in-the-sky-diamond-aircrafts-da62-mpp-special-mission-platform/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Skies Mag |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=DA62 MPP Special Mission Aircraft |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/da62-mpp-special-mission-aircraft/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Airforce Technology |language=en-US}}
Specifications (DA62)
{{Aircraft specs
| ref = Air InternationalUnwin 2015, p. 72. and Diamond Aircraft website
| prime units? = met
| genhide =
| crew = one
| capacity = up to six passengers
| length m = 9.19
| length ft =
| length in =
| length note =
| span m = 14.55
| span ft =
| span in =
| span note =
| height m = 2.82
| height ft =
| height in =
| height note =
| wing area sqm = 17.10
| wing area sqft =
| wing area note =
| aspect ratio =
| airfoil =
| empty weight kg = 1570
| empty weight lb =
| empty weight note =
| gross weight kg =
| gross weight lb =
| gross weight note =
| max takeoff weight kg = 2300
| max takeoff weight lb =
| max takeoff weight note =
| fuel capacity = {{Convert|326|L}}
| more general =
| eng1 number = 2
| eng1 name = Austro AE330 turbocharged 2.0 liter
| eng1 type = diesel aircraft engines
| eng1 kw = 134
| eng1 hp = 180
| prop blade number = 3
| prop name = MT propeller MTV-6-R-C-F/CF 194-80
| prop dia m =
| prop dia ft =
| prop dia in =
| prop dia note =
| perfhide =
| never exceed speed kmh = 379
| never exceed speed note =
| max speed kmh = 356
| max speed mph =
| max speed kts =
| max speed note = True Air Speed (TAS){{Cite web|title=DA62 — More of the Best|publisher=Diamond Aircraft|access-date=25 July 2015|url=http://www.diamond-air.at/twin-engine-aircraft/da62.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706211914/http://www.diamond-air.at/twin-engine-aircraft/da62.html|archive-date=6 July 2015|url-status=dead}} at Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) at 14,000 ft (4,267 m).
| cruise speed kmh = 317
| cruise speed mph =
| cruise speed kts =
| cruise speed note = (TAS) at 75% power{{cite web |url=https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/private-pilots/aircraft/da62/tech-specs/ |website=Diamond Aircraft DA62 Tech Specs|title=DA62 TechSpecs}}
| stall speed kmh = 125
| stall speed mph =
| stall speed kts =
| stall speed note =
| minimum control speed kmh =
| minimum control speed mph =
| minimum control speed kts =
| minimum control speed note =
| range km = 2380
| range miles =
| range nmi =
| ceiling m = 6096
| ceiling ft = 20000
| ceiling note =
| g limits =
| roll rate =
| glide ratio =
| climb rate note =
| time to altitude =
| lift to drag =
| wing loading kg/m2=
| wing loading lb/sqft =
| wing loading note =
| power/mass =
| thrust/weight =
| more performance =
- Fuel consumption: {{Cvt|7.4|USgal|l}} per hour total at loiter, {{Cvt|11.8|USgal|l}} per hour at 60% (12,000 ft) in total
| avionics= *Garmin G1000Nxi
}}
{{Aircontent
| see also =
| related =
| similar aircraft =
| lists =
}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
- {{Cite magazine|last=Unwin|first=Dave|title=An Austrian Gem|magazine=Air International|date=August 2015|volume=89|issue=2|pages=68–73|issn=0306-5634}}
External links
{{Commons category|Diamond DA62}}
- {{Official website|https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/private-owners/aircraft/da62/overview/}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140302020100/http://www.diamond-air.at/2614+M52087573ab0.html Official company first flight video]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR4o2Qr_SZM AVWeb video about DA52 development shot at Aero 2012]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hksiq2Hw4d0 AVWeb video about the DA52 from May 2013]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmz67HAyvbs AVWeb video about the DA62 from NBAA in November 2015]
- [http://www.flyingmag.com/we-fly-diamond-da62 We Fly: Diamond DA62] (Pilot Report)
{{Diamond Aircraft}}
Category:2010s Austrian civil utility aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 2012
Category:Diesel-engined aircraft