DA62 sounds somewhat compelling but as a typical Diamond a/c, internal space and baggage area are likely to be very anemic. A six place airplane is useless to me without gobs of luggage space, especially in the nose. I'd take a Baron over a DA62 anyday based on the apparent lack of baggage volume.

Then why do Formula 1 cars look so awesome?

Then why do Formula 1 cars look so awesome?

If you do a search, you will find an excellent BT review of the Diamond twin. BH

It's not a Baron killer for two primary reasons:

1. A 49' wingspan makes hangaring very very difficult. Might as well have a Malibu.

2. Still climbing on the wing to get inside. A B58 allows pax a more "dignified" entrance.

That performance is impressive. If I had a hangar with a 55' door, that would be a cool plane to have.

I was seriously disappointed in the DA-42. It's not a Baron killer unless the total cost to operate is half... fuel burn at half doesn't matter a whit if you have crazy clutch and PRSU issues that make the TCO as high or higher.

I hate to nit-pick, but I flew a DA-40 for a year before buying my V35 and took some test flights in a DA-42. Those huge windows Diamond puts on their planes are just about the worst idea ever.

They look great; pax think it's a great view; then you realize that it's a bazillion degrees inside and you have no way to block the sun and about 1/100 the required ventilation.

In my experience, Diamond airplanes are nothing but fiberglass ovens with wings attached.

Lastly, none of them I've flown met the published performance numbers. They're all underpowered and slow. I have a VERY hard time believing the DA-62 can make 180 MPH, let alone 180 knots with only 360 total HP.

Edit: If it makes the numbers, has dark window tint/AC and 4 seats with a huge baggage area as options, I might be a buyer.

From my perspective they are tank slits compared to the Baron. http://www.baron-pilot.com/2015/03/baro ... -da42.html

Gulfstreams look awesome

The baron has been on life support for a long time

The DA62 isn't anything special. These days you need 300 efficient knots and a bit of room to move around and a half ass airstair to make any waves. Do that for a million and you've changed the game.

Useful load 470 kg 1,036 lbs
Max. take off mass 1,999 kg 4,407 lbs
Fuel capacity total
main tank
auxiliary tank
326 lt
189 lt
137 lt
86 US gal
50 US gal
36 US gal

So after running a little math, I quickly realize that this aircraft becomes a two seater if you fill it with fuel. 451 lbs of useful load if you fill it with fuel. Also, the Baron wont die just like the Travel Air, Twin Bo, Beech 18 never died. Their will become a Nostalgia with flying older planes, sure some people will buy the Diamond and it may fit them well. But I sure as hell aint ready to throw all my manhood out the window just yet. So I will continue to fly my old, broken, outdated, dinosaur drinking Baron...

A G58 Baron is a 1 seater with full fuel...1450 useful - 194 *6 = 286 lbs.

That's funny.
This site is called "Beechtalk" and most of the posters here (what; 98% of them) fly the Barons & Beechcraft airplanes that were supposedly "killed long ago".
Mine, built in 1954, it just keeps living though, it won't die, AND it's the best value, dollar for dollar, in general aviation; has been for a long, long time, too.

Myself, I'd much rather watch a Baron take off than any Diamond; hands down.

Chris,

FIFY.

Tim

There are a lot of diamonds in and out of our home field due to our proximity to the MTSU flight school. Their looks have earned them the nickname "sperm planes".

I'll bet that's not true. There are a lot more "Brand X" guys here than 2%.

I'm not taking a swipe a Beechcraft planes. I used to own a Bonanza. That's how I got here. Did you notice you posted what you posted in a Diamond thread? AH.