Real Useful Load #s

[Urquhart]

OK owners, what are your useful real useful load numbers. Website states 1565 but I have seen reports of 1250-1350 based on equipment.

[Urquhart]

Sorry, meant to ask what is your real useful load.

[Bavarian911]

Not an owner yet, but looking at a 2020 fully loaded DA-62 with 1,250 lbs useful load.

[MichaelM]

I haven't taken delivery yet, but here is how mine is being built:

3,505 - Standard Equipment
88 - Air Conditioning / RACC II System
55 - TKS Deicing System
31 - Oxygen System
20 - Garmin GWX 70 Weather Radar
0 - Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology
0 - Garmin GTX 345R ADS-B In/Out Transponder
2 - Garmin GCU 476 Keypad
2 - Garmin GSR 56 Iridium Satellite Datalink
4 - Garmin GDL69A SXM SAT WX / Music
1 - Tablet Mounts
1 - Removable Stick
0 - 3rd Row Seats (I ordered this configuration, but they will not be installed)
0 - Cargo Tray
11 - Metallic Paint

Total: 3,720 lbs
MTOW: 5,071 lbs

Useful Load: 1,351 lbs
Full Fuel Payload: 766 lbs

This is only an estimate at this point since I am not entirely sure how configuring the plane for the 3rd row without installing the seats actually impacts the weight. Clearly, the weight from the seats themselves won't be added, but there is perhaps some ducting or wiring for the third row that will be in place.

Hope this helps

[nworthin]

OK owners, what are your useful real useful load numbers. Website states 1565 but I have seen reports of 1250-1350 based on equipment.

As Delivered:

BEW 3752
MTOW 5,071
UL 1329

Equipped:

5 seats
A/C
TKS
"Metallic" (actually Pearl) paint
Radar
O2

I did not order Keypad (and don't miss it as I use Foreflight and Flightstream).

If I did it again, I would probably ditch the O2 and substitute portable canisters for passengers (when I need that) and Inogen for me and co-pilot. Got talked into ordering O2 "for resale purposes".

But, realistically, this config and useful load gives very substantial range (at the limit of my bladder) for 4 aboard with bags.

And, it's a fill and go with 2 aboard and lots of gear/bikes, etc.

The trick here is to look at range with a given weight (which affects the amount of fuel you can carry). The fuel efficiency of the Diamond Twins changes the game on this.

For my needs, it's no compromise.

[MikeMeadows]

The plane that I fly most often has:
Empty Weight 3773 lbs
Max useful load 1,298 lbs
Full fuel payload 692 lbs

Mike

Gold Seal Instructor
CFI, CFII, MEI
ATP Single and Multi Land

Houston, TX

[photoSteveZ]

As Delivered:

BEW 3752
MTOW 5,071
UL 1329

Equipped:

5 seats
A/C
TKS
"Metallic" (actually Pearl) paint
Radar
O2

I did not order Keypad (and don't miss it as I use Foreflight and Flightstream).

Mine has the same options list as yours, plus the keypad, too. It weighs one pound more: 3753lb. That’s remarkably good manufacturing repeatability for a wet-composite layup, don’t you think?

[Bavarian911]

I haven't taken delivery yet, but here is how mine is being built:

3,505 - Standard Equipment
88 - Air Conditioning / RACC II System
55 - TKS Deicing System
31 - Oxygen System
20 - Garmin GWX 70 Weather Radar
0 - Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology
0 - Garmin GTX 345R ADS-B In/Out Transponder
2 - Garmin GCU 476 Keypad
2 - Garmin GSR 56 Iridium Satellite Datalink
4 - Garmin GDL69A SXM SAT WX / Music
1 - Tablet Mounts
1 - Removable Stick
0 - 3rd Row Seats (I ordered this configuration, but they will not be installed)
0 - Cargo Tray
11 - Metallic Paint

Total: 3,720 lbs
MTOW: 5,071 lbs

Useful Load: 1,351 lbs
Full Fuel Payload: 766 lbs

This is only an estimate at this point since I am not entirely sure how configuring the plane for the 3rd row without installing the seats actually impacts the weight. Clearly, the weight from the seats themselves won't be added, but there is perhaps some ducting or wiring for the third row that will be in place.

Hope this helps

Quick question regarding the third row: Removing the third row, how much weight can be saved and are there tie downs for luggage ?
Thanks,
Stephan

[Soareyes]

A question about the third row seats and BasicMed; If the plane is listed on paper as having seven seats does it qualify for BasicMed if the third row seats are removed?

[MichaelM]

Quick question regarding the third row: Removing the third row, how much weight can be saved and are there tie downs for luggage ?
Thanks,
Stephan

The third row of seats are listed at 55lbs. From what I understand, when you order the third row of seats, you obviously get the seats, but there are some other changes. They add ducting for the AC/Heat to the third row, along with jacks for headsets, etc. Many people order the third-row option, but don't actually get the third-row installed. This way the plane is configured for the third row to be added. If you don't get the third row, then you can't ever add them.

So I am not 100% sure, when you take out the seats how much weight you save. Obviously, you save the weight from the seats, but you don't take the ducts and wiring out. I would guess 45-50lbs.

When you take out the seats, they put in the cargo tray. There are tie downs for the luggage and lip to hold things secure. As the owner, you can't just take the seats in and out. It's a maintenance action that a shop needs to do. It's not complex, but is not something you can do if you are not an A&P.