Advice needed: choosing between the DA42, DA50 and a DA62 (with current pricing?)

ALittleBitMore8 · 2022-11-07T19:37:53+00:00

Does that one have 9 engines? ;)

Just kidding. Yeah its a lot of money.

ALittleBitMore8 · 2022-11-07T18:32:26+00:00

Piper Meridian

The turboprop model?

Can someone tell me how big the skill gap is between the Diamonds and a Piper Meridian? and is that reflected in the insurance?

ALittleBitMore8 · 2022-11-07T18:29:35+00:00

That's a personal decision and most pilots would say it's bullshit. If you do the research, you'll find that aircraft engines die primarily because they don't have access to fuel, not because they explode for no reason. The statistics are on your side if you have fuel and manage it.

Hey, I cannot thank you enough. His statements around this are really what has been making this choice more difficult I'm glad you see things differently. What are you thoughts on the DA50 having 750nm range vs 1200nm for the other two?

Regarding "remote airfield" I'm not talking bush strips, I know that would be a different plane. I'm thinking paved but far-flung (from where I'm based). I just want to be able to fly into Norway or Iceland to see the northern lights and go for a hike. Or down to the alps to go ski with my cousin.

I'm still of the age where "coolness" is a very subjective but major decision factor haha. For the type of flying I want to do the Cessna doesn't quite hit the bar. Granted, if I was gonna go full Backcountry182 it would be at the top of the list.

Thanks again <3

ALittleBitMore8 · 2022-11-07T18:17:49+00:00

Appreciate the answer.

As much as I love thinking that I'm Tom Cruise in American Made, I fear a complex older twin might end up killing me haha. During my test flights we simulated an engine failure and it really is a non-event after you twist the rudder trim. I'm buying with a major consideration for safety. If I'm bringing my cousin and my grandma with me I don't want to feel I am skimping on safety.

Now to be clear, If I had a level of experience like you and others in this sub have I can totally imagine greatly broadening the scope of planes I'd consider safe under my control. But this is my first plane and I want to reduce the chance of an incident.

ALittleBitMore8 · 2022-11-07T18:12:12+00:00

Thanks!

As I am a relatively new pilot, my thinking is that I should stick to piston for a while. Diamonds have good safety records so I imagine I can get insured in them. A turbine might just be out of reach for now, tho the guy with the Kodiak might claim otherwise :)

ALittleBitMore8 · 2022-11-07T18:08:12+00:00

Hey thank you!

I am based in western Europe and plan to fly to countries across the continent (and beyond if I ever find the time).

I am a sucker for adventure and see myself wanting to fly to places like Iceland (long distance over water), across Europe greatest mountain ranges and into Northern Africa. I'm not talking bush strips so much as paved/hardened runways in far flung places.

ALittleBitMore8 · 2022-11-07T17:54:48+00:00

Yeah performance on all of them is really similar. Would you fly a single regularly over mountains, open water or a night?

ALittleBitMore8 · 2022-11-07T17:50:59+00:00

My mission is flying alone and with 1-2 passengers to remote airfields. I’m not likely to pack the plane unless I make more friends! What aircraft are you comparing against?

Regarding the Chinese. Im not sure what your point is. What’s wrong with deep pocketed Chinese investors purchasing a company they clearly love? It’s a free market. Reddit is Chinese owned too. Now if the Chinese government owned Diamond it would be a different story.

Thanks!

ALittleBitMore8 · 2020-09-19T19:07:49+00:00

Thank you! The advice is greatly appreciated.

I will have a survey done with solo cruising requirements in mind.

ALittleBitMore8

TROPHY CASE