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Colin wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:07 am I like the second place winner. I would use some of those ideas on the paint scheme for my DA62.

Colin,

Are you saying you are getting a DA62?

Paul

Are you saying you are getting a DA62?

I think about it. It took me two years of thinking about the DA42 to buy one. If I had known how easy it was to fly and how inexpensive the fuel was I would have moved up three years earlier.

The DA62 seems expensive, both to buy and to maintain. Apparently the 900 hour service is $75,000. That's a lot on top of my current bills.

And I can't in good conscience, buy a plane for over a million dollars where the company's strategy regarding software upgrades is so unclear.

But I think about it.

Colin wrote: ↑Fri Sep 27, 2019 6:25 am

Are you saying you are getting a DA62?

And I can't in good conscience, buy a plane for over a million dollars where the company's strategy regarding software upgrades is so unclear.

This is something DAI management should read very carefully and with great attention.

Spend half the price of a new one and buy a King Air! Much more fun to fly, safer!

Spend half the price of a new one and buy a King Air!

The other aviation community I am a part of is BeechTalk. The maintenance bills on those planes is breathtaking. The mechanic who took care of my DA40 for a decade mostly worked King Airs and the charter-fleet owner's Baron. I said the Baron sure looked like a nice plane. He said the five year overhaul on the landing gear was $15,000. Actual words, "Amazing plane, but don't buy it unless you are going to really fly it. Otherwise the price per hour will spoil your dinner."

Have you seen the bill for a hot section rebuild on a PT6A?

Although I was talking to my mechanic and he said that on the DA62 they are wringing so much power from the power little diesels that they have to do that 900 hour thing (which is basically a top overhaul). It's too bad they can't use some sensors, data, and recording for that because I fly at 75% all the time in the DA42 and I'm pretty sure I'd do the same in the DA62.

I agree Colin - 75% is my usual cruise power in our 62. If winds are strong head/tail I will vary +/- 5%.

75% is my usual cruise power in our 62

For me, the noise is an issue and that's how I picked the lower setting. Other pilot-owners have pointed out that you pay for the hour on the engine whether you run it at 70% or 90% so you might as well get your money's worth.

Colin,

I operated a few different King Air airplanes for many years. Honestly maintenance isn't that bad at all. Yes you have calendar items like the landing gear and props. Expensive for sure. Beyond that I can't remember ever having to do any major or even minor maintenance outside the little things here and there. The PT6 is probably one of the best engines ever made. They just run and run as long as you respect a couple things like engine starts and temperature recommendations. I can't say enough good things about an E90 or C90A King Air. They are great!

You will certainly spend some of your 700K of savings on maintenance, fuel and insurance but you will be ahead in the long run.

Lance -

What can/would you get in a King Air in the $700,000 range ($700,000 in savings you mentioned to Colin)

C90 size would be great for me.

Thanks -

You should be able to find a nice mid-time E90 for that much. I like the E90 for the larger tanks. It won’t be a glass cockpit but should have a nice set of Garmins, radar and nice autopilot. The 90s are the best flying
of all the light airplanes I’ve flown.

https://www.controller.com/listings/air ... ng-air-e90