DA42 or DA62

[laserpilot]

I’m looking for a replacement for the time I can’t afford to fly a jet anymore. After loosing 50k to a SR22TN engine because of faulty plugs it will be either a DA42 or DA62.

Words of wisdom? Typical mission 500 nm with 3-4 people

[ememic99]

I’m looking for a replacement for the time I can’t afford to fly a jet anymore. After loosing 50k to a SR22TN engine because of faulty plugs it will be either a DA42 or DA62.

Words of wisdom? Typical mission 500 nm with 3-4 people

If you can afford it then DA62 is logical choice - more space, more comfort, although higher acquiring price and maintenance cost, as well as higher insurance. But coming from jet world, it's nothing new for you

[ultraturtle]

I've owned both. 4 folks, 500nm would be tight for a DA42-VI. Typically equipped, you would have less than 575 payload (fully fueled), and less than 750 lb with empty aux tanks. Empty aux tanks could get you 4 folks with 20 lbs of luggage a piece, but not enough fuel for a reasonable IFR alternate unless you pull the speed back.

Identically optioned, the DA62 can carry 266 lb more, and is far more spacious and comfortable for 4 folks.

[NDCDA62]

Agree, go for the DA62. I am more than satisfied with its capabilities.

[ememic99]

4 folks, 500nm would be tight for a DA42-VI.

I’m not sure about this - it depends how big they are.

With MTOW 1999 kg and empty weight 1410 kg, you get 589 kg of useful load. 4 persons are rougly 320 kg. Full fuel 76 USG is 231 kg. That’s 551 kg which leaves 38 kg for luggage, additional equipment or heavier persons.

Even in DA42-TDI (MTOW 1785 kg, empty 1350 kg) you can practically can have full fuel with 3 POB (no luggage).

[ultraturtle]

...empty weight 1410 kg...

I think the OP is more interested in our real world experience than he is in book numbers.

By "typically equipped" I meant that the aircraft includes air conditioning, built-in oxygen, radar, and TKS deicing system which adds (in my case) about 207 lbs, bringing the useful load down from the book value of 1299 lb to 1092 lb based on a real-life empty weight of 3,315 lb (1,504 kg).

What is more useful in the discussion is the difference between the DA42-VI and the DA62. My DA62 is equipped nearly identically to my previous DA42-VI, so makes for a good data point. It's actual empty weight is 3719 lb, which gives it a real world useful load of 1352 lb - 260 lb more than the DA42-VI (pretty close to the 266 lb difference in book numbers). 24% more lifting capacity (real world) and tons more room for people and stuff.

[ememic99]

Still, real-life empty weight 1504 kg gives 495 kg of useful load which is 60 USG of fuel with 4 POB which is more than enough for 500 NM including reserve. However, we all agree that DA62 is more appropriate for OP’s mission, especially to fit 4 adults.

[ultraturtle]

... 60 USG of fuel...

Again, we are talking real world numbers here, not hypotheticals. Per the AFM, a pilot may not take off with 60 gal of fuel on board unless they somehow ensure the mains contain exactly 33.6 (bad idea - full tanks allow for visual verification of quantity):

If the auxiliary tanks are in use, both tanks must be refueled
to the maximum level to provide proper information for the
pilot about the fuel quantity in the auxiliary fuel tanks.
If the auxiliary tanks are not in use, the pilot must ensure that
they are empty.

The pilot's best choices are either 76.4 gallons (cannot carry four 170lb people), or 50 gallons.

In rough numbers, loaded with 50 gallons of Jet A, 4 folks, 77lb of luggage, 500nm at 18,000', 75% power would burn 37.1 gallons, plus 9.9 gal reserve, leaving only 3 gallons for an alternate (about 40nm).

Like I said, it can be done, but not with much luggage, or ability to reach a distant alternate without pulling the power back.

[ememic99]

IMO the quote above completely negates usability of fuel totalizer. Today I started with 60 USG (full fuel in the main tanks and 10 USG in the auxiliaries - based on previous totalizer reading). When landed with 32 USG and refueled, I filled in totally 44 USG - full mains and auxiliaries. Correct quantity also confirmed (although less precise) in the flight when transferring fuel from auxiliaries to mains.

[ultraturtle]

...Today I started with 60 USG (full fuel in the main tanks and 10 USG in the auxiliaries - based on previous totalizer reading).

It is certainly you choice to ignore the requirements of the AFM. Again:

If the auxiliary tanks are in use, both tanks must be refueled to the maximum level to provide proper information for the pilot about the fuel quantity in the auxiliary fuel tanks. If the auxiliary tanks are not in use, the pilot must ensure that they are empty.

I would not recommend others do so.