BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Jan 2015, 10:39

I think this type of aircraft could really find a niche. Guys wanting to burn jet A that are flying SR22 and 20s can go faster, look cool (a big part of being a doctor, attorney, local rich dude), flying their usual SR22 type missions - less than 300 nm, many around the east coast less than 200 nm

As an added aside when they discontinue Avgas :whistle:

it's at a non pressurized, non retractable price point.

Very interesting....wonder if the brass at Cirrus is worried.....

Peace,
Don

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Jan 2015, 13:22

WOW

A new aerodynamic clean design?
200kt out of a 465HP turbine engine?
Fixed gear?

Seems to be a real innovation...

My opinion, all Diamonds still look like gliders

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Jan 2015, 15:14

Username Protected wrote:

200kt out of a 465HP turbine engine?

That's lame.

Look at Malibu, SR22T, Corvalis TTx which achieve 200 knots on far less power.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Jan 2015, 16:53

Username Protected wrote:

200kt out of a 465HP turbine engine?

That's lame.

Look at Malibu, SR22T, Corvalis TTx which achieve 200 knots on far less power.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Jan 2015, 17:03

Not sure that turboprop technology is any less new or old than piston. They used it because it is state of the art for 300 hp airplane engines.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Jan 2015, 17:52

Username Protected wrote:

why the Cessna made very nice $700K Corvalis TTx with very expensive old technology piston engine ?

Because cheap turboprop engine not available.

If a 300-450 HP class turboprop engine is available for $60K, then people would use it.

Is the AI-540S that? Don't know, price is just a rumor, but GA really needs something like this.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2015, 08:25

These airplanes are all different with a specific mission, a Caravan as a big cabin to carry cargo short range. A small cabin aircraft for travelling like a Diamond would be more useful with pressurization.

Username Protected wrote:

Every airplane is a compromise. Pressurization is only needed if you intend to fly high usually combined with cross country flights. I would be willing to wager that there are as many or more turboprop aircraft in service without pressurization as there are with it.

The Caravan is arguably one of Cessna's largest successes since the 172. It's a turboprop with no pressurization. It's mission doesn't require it.

The Twin Otter probably has the best resale vs. original price of any plane out there. It is highly sought after. It's also an unpressurized turboprop. You could also put the turbine Otter conversions, Kodiak, PAC 750, Porter, and turbine Beaver conversions in the same category.

Look at the production numbers for Air Tractor and Thrush for the last ten years. Combined, they probably make as many turboprop airplanes as anyone else. They are all unpressurized as are the turbine Ag Cats, Braves, Dromader, and Fletchers.

Don't forget helicopters. Most are turbine powered and none are pressurized.

I think it is pretty easy to think everyone else flies what we fly personally, but there is a whole world of aircraft out there, each well suited to their particular mission.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2015, 08:48

Username Protected wrote:

Every airplane is a compromise. Pressurization is only needed if you intend to fly high usually combined with cross country flights. I would be willing to wager that there are as many or more turboprop aircraft in service without pressurization as there are with it.

The Caravan is arguably one of Cessna's largest successes since the 172. It's a turboprop with no pressurization. It's mission doesn't require it.

The Twin Otter probably has the best resale vs. original price of any plane out there. It is highly sought after. It's also an unpressurized turboprop. You could also put the turbine Otter conversions, Kodiak, PAC 750, Porter, and turbine Beaver conversions in the same category.

Look at the production numbers for Air Tractor and Thrush for the last ten years. Combined, they probably make as many turboprop airplanes as anyone else. They are all unpressurized as are the turbine Ag Cats, Braves, Dromader, and Fletchers.

Don't forget helicopters. Most are turbine powered and none are pressurized.

I think it is pretty easy to think everyone else flies what we fly personally, but there is a whole world of aircraft out there, each well suited to their particular mission.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2015, 09:00

They'd sell millions if it had a chute. :hide:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2015, 09:31

Back when Diamond introduced the DA-50, they were talking about "light pressurization".

If this is still the case, they could have a hit here.

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All- ... rized-DA50

"The Continental-powered, full-featured SuperStar will be pressurized to provide about a 12,000-foot cabin at 25,000 feet. Meanwhile, the Magnum will be powered by Diamond’s new 170-hp Austro Engine AE 300, a jet-fuel burning engine. Both models will share the same five-seat composite airframe and wing, but the SuperStar will sport a 350-hp turbocharged, FADEC-controlled Continental engine."

http://www.diamondaircraft.com/news/2008_07_28.php

"Considering this feedback coupled with the significant decline in high performance single sales from Q1 2007 to Q1 2008, and ever increasing fuel prices, Diamond has decided to leapfrog the well-saturated single-engine highperformance market and go directly to the development of a lightly pressurized high-performance DA50 to offer a greater boost in utility, comfort and performance than what is currently offered. The company expects that a significant number of current high performance single pilots, would trade up for the additional benefits of pressurization and a fifth seat. With the incorporation of pressurization into the initial development program, certification is now planned for late 2010.

Diamont Single Turboprop first flight